Mystery surrounds Matiang'i home raid as IG Koome denies involvement

The officials who arrived in two unmarked cars claimed they were from EACC and Asset Recovery Agency.

Piece by: CYRUS OMBATI
News

• This was in reaction to reports that a group of police officers tried to access the former CS’ home in Karen on Wednesday night.

• Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak also denied his officers were involved in the said attempted raid.

Former interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and IG Japhet Koome
Image: COURTESY

Inspector General of police Japhet Koome Thursday denied claims his officers went to former interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangí’s house in Karen.

He said he had checked and found no such operation was sanctioned if any.

“There is no officer under the National Police Service who was at the former CS home. We have checked and I can confirm that,” he said.

Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak also denied his officers were involved in the said attempted raid.

“We are not aware. Those, if any are not EACC officers. We have nothing against him,” he said.

This was in reaction to reports that a group of police officers tried to access the former CS’ home in Karen on Wednesday night.

The officials who arrived in two unmarked cars claimed they were from EACC and Asset Recovery Agency.

ARA officials too denied they were at the home.

“Those could be imposters if any. We don’t conduct raids and searches at night,” said a senior ARA official.

The denial by state agencies of the said attempted raid left many wondering who the people behind the same were.

Witnesses said the officers arrived there at about 8 pm. By then there were lawyers and friends in Matiang'i's house.

They, however, left minutes later. It was not clear who they were and their mission.

Other officials said it is a possible secret group behind the incident.

There are reports some government agencies have been conducting audits on former officials in readiness for action.

Matiang'i had earlier on said he was informed there were plans for the said raid.

This prompted him to call his lawyers and friends for advice insisting he had done nothing to warrant what he termed harassment.

“I was told by reliable officials there were such plans to harass me and my family. I am innocent and this is wrong.”

“We are law-abiding citizens and as a former government official, it is pure harassment,” he said.

The news of the said attempted raid spread fast online attracting both anger and condemnation.

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga is among those who rushed to the home on hearing about the raid.

He termed the attempted raid completely unacceptable.

"There is no reason why police should be coming to somebody's home at this hour of the night. If Matiang'i has committed a crime warranting his arrest that should be made public and known to him and he can present himself for interrogation," said Odinga.

"This idea of arresting senior citizens at this hour of the night is something that is completely repugnant to civilization. This is completely unacceptable."

By then the unknown men had left as Matiang'i met his lawyers in his house. Lawyer Danstan Omari said the former CS had summoned his lawyers and they rushed there to witness what was happening.

“I can confirm to every Kenyan in this country that the life of Matiang’i is at risk. We don’t know the intention of wanting to invade Matiang’i’s home at this time of the night. We don’t know why they want to arrest him and where they want to take him to.”

He and lawyer Sam Nyaberi said they will move to court to seek orders to stop his harassment.

"Can you imagine what the family is going through?" posed Nyaberi.

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