Presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi has declined to give in to orders issued by the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti's asking him to surrender his firearms within 72 hours.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, February 22, Wanjigi lamented that the directive was a malicious attempt by the DCI to violate his rights and freedom.
"The DCI ordered me to surrender non-existent guns and 480 bullets. They have been violating my fundamental rights and freedom. I will neither surrender to this abuse of law enforcement agencies for political purposes," he stated.
Wanjigi argued that the detectives harboured ulterior motives as they had asked him to surrender firearms that were in their possession.
"The High Court granted orders that the firearms be returned to my house but that never happened. Today, he (DCI Kinoti) has the audacity to ask me to return the same firearms," Wanjigi lamented.
"In 2017, the same Kinoti took three vehicles from my home in Malindi and for five years, the high-end vehicles have been rotting in the police custody. He also tried to issue charges against me and my father," he added.
Part of the firearms that Wanjigi had been ordered to surrender include 2 Ceska pistols, a shotgun, Glock 19, three Glock pistols as well as a rifle.
Further, Wanjigi wondered how the current directive by the DCI boss coincided with the upcoming ODM's National Delegates Conference (NDC) slated for Friday, February 25, and Saturday, February 26.
He termed the move as a political witchhunt by his adversaries in order to prevent him from contesting in the August 9 polls.
"I want to assure Kenyans that I will be on the ballot and where I will be is where the next government will be formed. It will be a government of the people and for the people of Kenya," he stated.