By Kelly Were,
Nairobi, Kenya – In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the political landscape, Hon. George Koimburi, the Member of Parliament for Juja, was allegedly abducted on Sunday, May 25, 2025, only to be discovered a day later seriously injured and abandoned in a coffee farm in Juja.
The unfolding investigation has taken a murky turn with three close associates—including the Juja Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Chairman, Peter Kiratu—arraigned and held at Capital Hill Police Station on May 28.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja Kirocho, in an official press briefing on May 27, dismissed the abduction claims as a politically charged fabrication aimed at evading justice and swaying public sympathy.
The statement marks a major twist in the high-profile saga that has gripped the nation for nearly a week.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has now sought custodial orders to detain the suspects for 15 additional days as they comb through CCTV footage, viral social media videos, and medical reports to piece together the events surrounding the alleged kidnapping.
On Sunday, May 25, Hon. Koimburi was said to have been abducted outside a church in Mugutha, witnesses claim Koimburi was forcibly bundled into a silver Subaru Forester (Reg. KBP 096W).
His alleged disappearance was quickly followed by a wave of concern, amateur video footage circulating online, and dramatic claims of abduction, injury, and torture.
But police now say the truth is far less cinematic—and far more calculated.
According to investigators, the MP became aware of an imminent arrest warrant linked to a land fraud case and fled the church compound on a motorcycle, flanked by private security. His phones were turned off, and by the time his vehicle was intercepted by police, only his chauffeur remained behind the wheel.
By the next morning, May 26, a video began making rounds on social media showing Koimburi appearing unconscious in a coffee farm in Juja. But forensic experts from the DCI headquarters and the National Forensic Laboratory say the vegetation and road dimensions in the video do not match the actual location.
Adding to the intrigue, Moses Kariuki, the caretaker of the alleged scene, told investigators he had witnessed “no such incident.”
In a statement that has further fanned the flames of controversy, the police claim they have traced the hotel and specific room number where Koimburi allegedly spent the night while “missing.” During that time, his associates reportedly misled the public to believe he was abducted.
The MP was eventually located in Kibichoi, Githunguri sub-county, and taken to Plainsview Hospital.
While reports described him as “unconscious and injured,” the hospital declined to release any information regarding his treatment.
By the time the MP’s daughter, Wanjiru, was informed of his whereabouts on May 26, he had been located in critical condition, hidden in a thicket of a Juja coffee farm and subsequently rushed to Plainsview Hospital before being referred to Karen Hospital for further treatment.
CCTV footage from the church, as well as amateur videos that quickly went viral, reportedly captured the moment of the alleged abduction, providing investigators with key leads.
Four people have emerged as central figures in the case:
- Peter Kiratu – Juja CDF Chairman and the first respondent, reportedly made multiple phone calls prior to the incident and was the last known individual with the MP.
- David Macharia Gatana – The second respondent, whose involvement remains under DCI scrutiny.
- Cyrus Kieu Muhia – A known ally of Hon. Koimburi, allegedly provided the vehicle used during the abduction after a request from Kiratu.
- Grace Nduta -Grace Nduta Wairimu, Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kanyenyaini Ward, Murang’a County,who allegedly spent the night with Hon. Koimburi on May 25
The trio was formally booked on May 28, with the DCI citing potential charges ranging from kidnapping and attempted murder to an array of white-collar crimes including land fraud, forgery, and uttering false documents—suggesting a broader criminal conspiracy while Nduta was arrested at a restaurant in Kandara.
The police allege the staged abduction was a ploy to delay legal proceedings and galvanize public sympathy in what has become an increasingly polarized political climate.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has interrogated five individuals and is pursuing statements from several more. Three of Koimburi’s close associates have already been arrested for allegedly helping orchestrate the deception.
Meanwhile, Parliament has announced that a House committee will investigate the abduction claims, signaling how deeply this incident has cut into Kenya’s political discourse.
The NPS has reiterated its commitment to professionalism, forensic accuracy, and due process, stating:
“We will pursue all leads, analyze all evidence, and ensure the perpetrators—whether of a kidnapping or a deception—are brought to justice.”
A letter from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), dated May 29, acknowledges receipt of the inquiry file, indicating the state’s growing interest in treating this as more than a case of abduction.
Citing Sections 317, 347, 349, and 353 of the Penal Code, the DCI’s application details charges of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining title deeds by false pretense, and forgery—hinting at an underlying land dispute or politically motivated sabotage.
The prosecution has emphasized the need for extended detention to complete forensic analysis and recover crucial evidence, including mobile communication records and medical reports that could clarify the extent of Koimburi’s injuries and the motive behind the attack.
The alleged abduction has inflamed political tensions in Juja and beyond. DCI reports note that the incident has “created panic, fear, and sharp political opinion,” prompting calls for calm and restraint from both sides of the political aisle.
