Police Disowns Raid On Ex-Interior Minister in Kenya

The head of Kenya police service has disowned a reported operation on the home of former interior minister Fred Matiang’i in Nairobi.

Inspector General Japhet Koome said that no officers under the National Police Service were sent to the former minister’s residence.

The ex-ministers lawyer, Sam Nyaberi had on Wednesday said that Mr. Matiang’i was holed up in his home and accused the government of trying to falsely accuse and frame his client.

“The police have not declared what they want or what he’s done wrong. We do not understand why the police would come to arrest our client in the dead of the night,” Mr. Sam said.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Raila Odinga and a host of politicians arrived at the home for a night vigil following the incident.

He said police had surrounded Mr. Matiangi’s home and criticised what he described as “the return of midnight arrests without charges.”

A group of lawyers was due to accompany the former minister to the nearest police station.

Report says Mr. Matiang’i was a powerful cabinet minister and a key ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta who campaigned to block President William Ruto from ascending to power.

Meanwhile, security officers attached to influential individuals who served under Mr. Kenyatta, including Mr. Matiang’i, were scaled down earlier this month.

BBC/Christopher Ojilere