Gov't to Withdraw Criminal Charges against Billionaire Businessman Jimmy Wanjigi

The government will this week formally withdraw all criminal charges it had instituted against billionaire business mogul Jimmy Wanjigi and his father, former Cabinet Minister Maina Wanjigi.

Wanjigi is facing charges in relation to importation and being in possession of illegal firearms; while his father is accused of failing to keep his firearm in safe custody.

The State will reportedly file an application to withdraw the charges before a Nyeri court on Thursday, an officer at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said.

Kiogora Mugambi, who is Wanjigi's attorney said he is aware of the intention by the state to withdraw the cases.

This comes days after President Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga reached a unity pact at a meeting on Friday last week. On Monday, the State restored the security detail of National Super Alliance (Nasa) leaders, which had been withdrawn following the mock swearing in of Odinga as people's president on January 30th.

Government had recalled the security detail of 141 Nasa MPs over their involvement in oath plan.

Wanjigi was allegedly the key financier of Odinga’s presidential campaign in last year’s election. The State instituted the charges against the Wanjigis following a raid at the businessman's mansion in Nairobi late last year.