Police have nothing to do with raid at Matiang'i's house, IG Koome says

Japhet Koome

Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome.

Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group

Police boss Japhet Koome on Thursday said no officer under the National Police Service was sent to the house of former Interior minister Fred Matiang'i last night.

"I wish to clarify that no police officer under the NPS was sent to former CS Matiang'i residence at all," the police chief told the Nation this morning.

Initial reports suggested Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers were after the former CS, but EACC chief executive Twalib Mbarak told the Nation last night that his team had nothing to do with the reported raid. 

On Wednesday evening, police officers surrounded the Karen home of Matiang'i. The Nation established that the officers arrived at the Karen home of the former CS a few minutes before 10pm and were attempting to force their way in.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga arrived at Matiang'i's home minutes after 10 pm. He sought to ascertain why the police had laid siege at the former CS's home.

Dr Matiang'i's legal team, who were also present at his residence, called the move unprocedural and claimed his life may be in danger. 

"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. Why didn't they come during the day?" posed lawyer Sam Nyaberi.