As the nation commemorated Saba Saba Day on Monday, July 7, 2025, a day deeply etched into Kenya's democratic fabric, an unsettling claim emerged from the heart of its political landscape. Prominent businessman and vocal government critic, Jimi Wanjigi, alleged that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were actively positioned outside his private residence, an accusation that immediately ignited concerns about political intimidation and the state of civil liberties amidst widespread national protests.
In a direct statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) channel, Wanjigi provided what he claimed was compelling evidence: CCTV footage capturing two vehicles, a white Subaru Outback and a grey pick-up truck, with visible occupants, parked conspicuously outside his Muthaiga home. Notably, these vehicles reportedly bore civilian rather than official government number plates, a detail that often raises red flags in such alleged surveillance operations.
The timing of this alleged incident was particularly potent. It unfolded precisely on Saba Saba Day, a historic date that harks back to July 7, 1990, when Kenyans bravely took to the streets to demand the reintroduction of multiparty politics against the then-autocratic regime of President Daniel Arap Moi. For decades, Saba Saba has remained a powerful symbol of defiance, the struggle for democracy, and the unwavering spirit of civic engagement. This year, it was marked by heightened security measures across the country, with major roads barricaded and a palpable sense of tension as citizens prepared to express their grievances.
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Wanjigi, a long-standing political figure and frequent critic of successive administrations, did not mince words in his immediate reaction. "DCI at my home today, Saba Saba! All this stupidity has to stop! Ruto must resign, all this intimidation shall not make u legitimate, the people ousted you long time ago!" he declared, framing the alleged surveillance as a deliberate act of government suppression aimed at silencing dissenting voices. His forceful statement underscored his consistent critique of President William Ruto's administration and its perceived legitimacy in the eyes of a significant portion of the populace.
This is not an isolated incident for the businessman. Wanjigi's residence has a history of attracting unwelcome attention from state security agencies. A similar, high-profile incident occurred on August 8, 2024, when his Muthaiga home was surrounded by a large contingent of police officers in what he and his family termed a targeted raid. Witnesses from that event narrated a black car speeding and parking outside his gate just minutes before heavily armed police arrived, surrounding the vehicle and then proceeding to search it. Wanjigi's son, reflecting on these recurring episodes, had previously stated, "It's not shocking. It's not the first time we have been raided. It seems whenever we are a threat to them, they decide to raid us," highlighting a perceived pattern of harassment linked to his father's political activism.
