August 20, 2024: Top news events to look out for today

Here is what you need to know to get up to speed with today’s happenings.

Jimi Wanjigi in court

Safina Party leader and businessman Jimi Wanjigi is set to appear in court this morning following his arrest and detention on Monday, August 19, 2024.

Wanjigi was arrested at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)’s Milimani office after presenting himself for grilling over his alleged funding of the Nane Nane anti-government protests. 

Similarly, the former presidential aspirant was to clear up on the issue of the four teargas canisters, two Motorolla gadgets, seven chargers for pocket phones and a mobile phone police said they retrieved from a car believed to be his.

Wanjigi who was accompanied by his legal team was expected to meet with Regional Police boss Adamson Bungei to record a statement.

On August 9, 2024, Wanjigi applied for anticipatory bail fearing that police officers were out to arrest him.

In his plea, Wanjigi also appealed to the judge to bar the police from arresting or curtailing his movement

“Over the last few months, I have been subjected to untold mental and psychological anguish as police officers have been intimidating, harassing and trailing me,” Wanjigi said in an earlier statement.

Reports indicate that the businessman has been transferred to Kamukunji police station following his arrest at the DCI headquarters.

Power outage

Kenya has announced a planned blackout for today affecting several regions across five counties.

The utility company cited routine network maintenance as the reason for the temporary blackout.

Counties with regions that will be affected by the planned power interruption include Nairobi, Bungoma, Kakamega, Nyeri and Taita Taveta.

According to Kenya Power, affected areas will experience the blackout at different times and will last from 10 am to 5 pm.