Jimmy Wanjigi is popularly described as 'Kenya's most feared oligarch.'
It has been a dramatic 24 hours for the controversial businessman.
He is regarded widely as one of the tycoons controlling the country, with his wealth coming from privileged access to single-sourced multi-billion government tenders. His character can be likened to football agent Mino Raiola, one of the sport's biggest powerbrokers.
That aside, Wanjigi, a key financier of Kenya's Opposition party, NASA, has had a dramatic 24 hours since Monday.
This is after police raided a home suspected to belong to him in Malindi town where they found a cache of weapons.
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The incident led to another contingent of officers storming his Muthaiga home in Nairobi saying they had an arrest warrant for Wanjigi.
Business Insider SSA looks at the turbulent 24 hours for the controversial business man who until Tuesday midday was believed to have locked himself inside an underground bunker in one of the six houses at his expansive home:
Monday 10.57 am: The Star Kenya reports that police have raided a Malindi home suspected to belong to Jimmy Wanjigi. They recover a cache of weapons.
2.40 pm: A contingent of officers from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit storm his palatial Muthaiga home, hours after the Malindi raid.
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4.30 pm: NASA members led by James Orengo visit Wanjigi’s Muthaiga home, moments after police raid. Orengo claims police raid is political.
Monday evening: The search for the controversial business man goes even though it is not clear whether Mr. Wanjigi is in the compound. This despite Head of Flying Sqaud Said Mohammed saying that Wanjigi had locked himself in the house. He however tells the press that his officers would camp at his residence until they find him.
Tuesday 9.18 am: More detectives arrive at Jimmy Wanjigi’s residence carrying sledge hammers in a bid to try gain access inside the locked house.
10.45 am: Two videos emergepurportedly showing armed police breaking into his home after obtaining search warrant.
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12.41 pm: The siege continues with a number of police officers raiding Wanjigi’s Kwacha House in Parklands, Nairobi. His posh restaurant, Caramel Restaurant and Lounge in Westlands, Nairobi was shut down.
1.10 pm: Wanjigi and his wife Irene Nzisa move to court seeking anticipatory bail over any arrest.
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2.38 pm: The Kenyan HIGH COURT grants Wanjigi Sh50,000 anticipatory bail; blocks his arrest until October 19 and warns police against damaging his assets.
