CS Kindiki Explains Why Police Raided Uhuru Son's Home

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has confirmed that police officers carried out a raid on the home of the eldest son of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In a statement released on Friday night, July 21, Kindiki revealed that an operation was launched targeting three homesteads within the Karen area, including that of Jomo Kenyatta's.

"Today afternoon, an operation has been going on targeting three homesteads within the Karen area where a total of 23 firearms, some of which are suspected to have been used in illegal activities are kept.

"Today's operation is part of a broader operation targeting scores of firearm holders who are reasonably suspected to be availing firearms not only for purposes of supporting violent protests but also other illegal activities," the statement revealed in part.

Kindiki revealed that security intelligence information established that some of the weapons, including firearms and crude weapons which have been used to fuel violence during violent riots that have been experienced in the Country in the past few weeks were supplied by a wide network of civilian firearm holders and leaders of known criminal gangs.

The civilian firearms and crude weapons were credibly suspected to have been used to harm law enforcement personnel and civilians alike during the violence that has been experienced across the country.

"While the Police have intensified their crackdown on the criminal gang leaders who have been commanding criminals to reign terror on the public, the law enforcement agencies have rolled out a nationwide operation, pursuant to their mandate of regulation, control and management of civilian firearm holders to ensure that those licensed to possess weapons abide by the relevant laws.

"On 19th July 2023, a prime suspect was arrested while preparing to distribute a large number of crude weapons to facilitate criminals to inflict violence on the public during the last three days of violent protests. The suspect was found in possession of 14 machetes, 24 swords, 46 rungus, and over 300 sachets of assorted narcotic drugs, including cannabis sativa and cocaine. Also found with him, were documents describing the distribution of Ksh42 million across 11 Counties in Nairobi, Central and Rift Valley regions," added the statement.

Kindiki however noted that security agencies are authorized under the Firearms Act (CAP 114) of the Laws of Kenya to inspect premises where firearms are kept, to require civilian firearm holders to produce them for inspection and ballistic examination where it is reasonably suspected that such firearms or ammunition may have been used or expended outside the law.

"The operation will proceed to cover civilian firearm holders in Nairobi and other parts of the Country, who may be using the weapons in their possession to jeopardize our national security. The operation is purely of a security nature and neither its politicization nor sensationalisation will deter law enforcement agencies from ensuring that the Country remains safe and stable," the CS added.

Late Friday night, July 21, Uhuru was prompted to rush to his son's home in Karen after Jomo called him informing him of officers surrounding his home. He complained that the government had gone to the extreme that his family was becoming an unwarranted target.

He questioned why the officers went to his son's house at night in vehicles with foreign number plates and did not present a search warrant.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta outside his son's house in Karen on July 21, 2023. /VIRALTEAKE

The former Head of State went on to dare the current regime to withdraw all of their security and to arrest him, but to spare his children and grandchildren.

"I am not demanding any security from them, if they want they want to recall all of them, let them do so," he added.

"Do not think you can intimidate an old woman, children, and grandchildren to intimidate me, if you want me, come I have not run away. Your people know where I am all the time but leave the children alone," Uhuru dared.