IG Koome Denies Deploying Cops To Raid Matiang’i's Home

Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome has now said that no officer from the National Police Service (NPS) was sent to the home of former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i in Karen on Wednesday night, February 8.

Speaking to the Nation on Thursday morning, February 9, the police boss dismissed reports that police officers were sent to Matiang’i's home with the intention of arresting him.

"I wish to clarify that no police officers under the NPS was sent to former CS Matian'gi residence at all," Koome stated.

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i. /FILE

In addition, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), through Chief executive Twalib Mbarak denied initial reports that its officers had also gone after the former CS in the night raid.

This comes after lawyer Danstan Omari uncovered new intrigues that saw former President Uhuru Kenyatta play a vital role in ensuring that his former Cabinet is protected from looming police raids.

Omari, while speaking to the media revealed that Uhuru had issued strict orders to them to head to court on Thursday morning to seek anticipatory bail for all former CSs.

He added that they would escort the former Interior CS to the nearest police station to record a statement, even as he disclosed that the motive behind the attempted arrest was perceived as a means of scaring Uhuru's cabinet from attending the late Prof George Magoha's funeral service on Saturday, February 11. 

He further criticised the officers for attempting to break the law by failing to produce an arrest warrant.

"This habit of walking into the home of someone at night and just making arrests is unacceptable and unconstitutional. We shall not allow the officers to nab him," he said.

He added that Matiang'i was made aware of the attempted arrest 10 hours before the officers stormed his Karen home in the dead of night, with reports indicating that the former CS instructed his team of lawyers to be on high alert.

"This is something that we had already been told was going to happen, but we did not know that they were planning to arrive at his home during the night,” he told Nation. 

It was reported that over 20 officers surrounded Matiang'i's home in five motor vehicles in an attempt to force their way in before they were met by Matiang’i's security team and his lawyers who arrived minutes after 10 pm.

The motive of the attempted arrest by the time of publishing still remains unclear.

Azimio party leader, Raila Odinga also visited Matiang'i's home and condemned the incident, terming it a misuse of power by President William Ruto.

"I have just received information that the police had surrounded the home of the former Interior Minister Matiang'i and I was shocked to hear that this is happening at this hour.

Raila Odinga at Matiang'i's Karen home on February 8, 2023. /CITIZEN TV

"They say that the more things change, the more they stay the same. We are witnessing what this country has been through before. The times of late-night arrests and detentions of people without any formal charges. This is what appears to be coming back to our country," the former Prime Minister told the press while at Matiang'i's home.

"If Matiang'i has committed a crime that warrants his arrest that should be made public and known to him. This idea of arresting senior citizens at this hour of the night is unacceptable," Odinga stated.

He further promised to stand with the former Interior CS and anyone else to ensure that the law is honoured.

Notably, Matiang'i and Ruto clashed on several occasions leading up to the August 2022 general elections.