Waiganjo names Kimemia, Iteere in Sh20 million ‘cover up’ plot

Police impostor Joshua Waiganjo at a Nakuru Court yesterday. He told the court powerful Government officials want him jailed in a bid to conceal evidence about alleged abuse of office. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/standard]

NAKURU: Police impostor Joshua Waiganjo has told a Nakuru court that powerful Government officials want him jailed.

Mr Waiganjo, who is facing three counts of impersonating a senior police officer, told Senior Principal Magistrate Felix Kombo that over Sh20 million has been used in an attempt to secure his conviction.

He accused Cabinet Secretary Francis Kimemia, former Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere and lead investigator in the case, a Mr Kibiru of plotting to have him jailed to allegedly conceal the truth about incidents of abuse of office.

“Kimemia is hatching a plan to influence the proceedings of the case and obstruct justice,” Waiganjo claimed.

He also claimed that Mr Iteere has spent over Sh20 million in a bid to have evidence doctored.

According to him, Iteere is trying to have the evidence in the case doctored at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters so that the truth about his recruitment and the alleged abuse of office is not revealed. His lawyer asked the court to take the allegations serious.

“As we speak, the prosecution file is not here. I know much of what is happening than the prosecutor,” Waiganjo insisted.

State Counsel Martin Rabera denied the allegations, saying Waiganjo is only trying to delay the case, adding that the file was in their Nakuru Director of Public Prosecution’s office.

“Those allegations amount to threats. He was a police officer and he knows what to do. He should substantiate the claims with an OB number of his recorded statement,” Mr Rabera said.

Magistrate Kombo said the claims were serious if true but assured Waiganjo that no one will compromise the court. He told Waiganjo to substantiate the allegations, but the latter maintained that he has reliable sources. He said the reason the case was initially taken to Nairobi’s Milimani court was part of the plot.

Waiganjo is jointly tried with former Rift Valley police boss John M’Mbijiwe and former Anti-Stock theft Police Commander Michael Remi Ngugi. Lawyers representing his co-accused distanced themselves from Waiganjo’s allegations.

M’Mbijiwe is facing three counts of abuse of office while Ngugi then commander at the Gilgil Headquarters allegedly allowed Waiganjo to use a Government vehicle. The case will be heard on April 20, 21 and 23.