Matiang'i Responds To Police Raid, Tells Court Of Looming Arrest

Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i broke his silence after his home was surrounded by police officers in Karen on Wednesday night, February 8.

On Thursday, February 9, Matiang'i moved to court seeking anticipatory bail, with his lawyers claiming that his rights were violated and his woes worsened after he mocked President William Ruto's administration during his speech at the home of the former Education CS, the late Prof George Magoha.

Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Matiang'i claimed that he is being targeted for unlawful arrest, which put his family in a state of fear.

Lawyer Danstan Omari at Matiang'i's Karen home on February 8, 2023. /CITIZEN TV

"The Applicant is aware that his woes got worse when he gave a speech at the home of the late Prof Magoha where he shared the lessons on public service that he had learnt from the deceased.

"His security was withdrawn the next day and the impending arrest is part of the scheme to harass and silence him forever,” reads court documents.

The lawyers claimed that the former CS was tipped off by some police officers loyal to him of his looming arrest.

"...has received credible information from officers of the Kenya police that they are under express instructions to arbitrarily capture and arrest him with a view of arraigning him in court for ulterior political motives".

"We seek in the interim that justice should reign. In as much as there would probably be something purported to have been done by Matiang'i, let him be given every civil right entitled to every citizen in the country," one of his lawyers stated.

Another lawyer noted that Matiang'i should have been issued a warrant of arrest, adding that the Wednesday night incident was tantamount to threats.

Matiang'i asked the court to grant orders to stop the police from arresting or charging him, as a result. This is as he is yet to make a public appearance since the shocking incident.

This comes after Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome stated that no officer from the National Police Service (NPS) was sent to his house.

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

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.