Police IG Japhet Koome: Matiang'i home raid claims untrue

Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Inspector-General (IG) of Police Japhet Koome has denied claims that police officers raided the Nairobi home of former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday night.

"There was no raid carried out by any member of the National Police Service [at the home of former CS Matiang'i]. Please, let me be clear on that," Koome told The Standard through a text message on Thursday, February 9.

His remarks come on the back of remarks by Fred Matiang'i's lawyers on Wednesday that police officers had laid siege at the Karen home of the former minister.

Danstan Omari, one of Matiang'i's lawyers, said police officers, who arrived at the ex-minister's home a few minutes past 9pm, did not communicate the motive of the raid.

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga termed the said-attempts to arrest Matiang'i oppressive.

"Dr Fred Matiang'i is a former Interior CS and civility demands that the illegitimate regime in place accords him due process and his rights. We will not allow the dark days of repression to return. We shall stand with him to the end. He can count on our support and solidarity as Azimio," Odinga said in a statement.

Matiang'i, through his lawyers, on Thursday filed for anticipatory bail in court to stop possible arrest, claiming the government was out to press abuse of office charges against him.