The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed claims of abducting Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi, asserting that the lawmaker staged his disappearance to evade arrest in a land fraud investigation. In a press statement released today, NPS revealed that Koimburi, a vocal critic of the government, fled from police on a motorcycle on Friday, May 23, after learning of plans to apprehend him. The statement follows a viral video circulating on social media, allegedly showing Koimburi abandoned in a Kiambu coffee plantation, sparking outrage and accusations of political persecution.
The Viral Video: A Shocking Scene in Kiambu
On Monday, May 26, 2025, a video surfaced online showing Juja MP George Koimburi lying in distress at the Jacaranda coffee plantation in Kibichoi, Kiambu County, less than 10 kilometers from where he was reportedly abducted outside a church in Mugutha on Sunday, May 25. The footage, described as “amateur” by the NPS, depicts the MP in a tattered navy-blue suit, writhing in pain and unable to speak, prompting widespread concern. Koimburi’s wife, Ann Koimburi, told The Standard that he was forcibly taken by two men posing as worshippers after a service at Full Gospel Church, who bundled him into a Subaru Forester with altered license plates. She sustained injuries while trying to intervene, adding to the drama.
The video, shared widely on X, fueled public anger, with users like @itskipronoh slamming the government for silence and labeling the incident a sign of a “rogue regime” (@itskipronoh, May 26, 2025). Others, like @mosesmascot, questioned Kenya’s security, stating, “Enyewe we don’t have a country here” (@mosesmascot, May 26, 2025). Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a close ally of Koimburi, visited the MP at Karen Hospital and accused state-hired “elite officers” of torturing him with chemicals, rendering him unable to speak.
NPS’s Response: Koimburi Evaded Arrest, Not Abducted
The NPS, in a statement issued by Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga on May 26, 2025, refuted abduction claims, alleging that Koimburi orchestrated the incident to dodge a land fraud probe. According to the police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had authorized Koimburi’s arrest on Friday, May 23, for alleged irregular land transactions in Juja and Thika. The NPS claims Koimburi, aware of the impending arrest, escaped a police dragnet by jumping onto a motorcycle with his private security, leaving his driver behind. The driver was briefly detained, questioned at DCI headquarters, and released after giving a statement.
“His car, with only the driver inside, was intercepted,” Nyaga stated. “The MP, fully aware of police intentions, duped officers and switched off his mobile phone.” Koimburi remained unreachable over the weekend, only resurfacing on Monday amid abduction allegations. The NPS has launched a probe into the viral video, with a specialized Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) team analyzing the footage and documenting the scene at the coffee plantation. The police urged the public to provide information via toll-free numbers (999, 911, 112) or the DCI hotline (#FichuakwaDCI, 0800 722 203).
The Land Fraud Investigation: What’s at Stake?
Koimburi’s troubles stem from a land fraud case under investigation by the DCI, with consent to prosecute granted by the ODPP. While specific details of the allegations remain undisclosed, sources indicate the case involves irregular land transactions in Juja and Thika, areas known for contentious land disputes. The MP, a member of the Democratic Change Party (DCP) led by Gachagua, has been a vocal critic of President William Ruto’s administration, raising questions about whether the probe is politically motivated.
This isn’t Koimburi’s first brush with the law. In February 2025, he was charged with forging academic certificates, including a Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) certificate and a Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) project document. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a KSh 200,000 cash bail, but a warrant was issued in September 2021 after he allegedly skipped court. Koimburi also faced charges under the Computer and Cybercrimes Act for claiming the government spent KSh 13 billion on Raila Odinga’s failed African Union Commission bid, further escalating his tensions with the state.
Political Backlash: A Pattern of Persecution?
The incident has ignited a political firestorm, with opposition leaders alleging a government-orchestrated campaign against critics. Gachagua, speaking at Karen Hospital on May 26, claimed Koimburi was “expertly tortured” and injected with a chemical affecting his speech, with blood and urine samples sent for analysis. He accused Ruto’s administration of targeting DCP leaders, citing attacks on himself, Mithika Linturi, Justin Muturi, and Ndindi Nyoro. “This is not good, and there must be accountability,” Gachagua told Eastleigh Voice. Opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka announced plans for a Tuesday meeting to address “political harassment and intimidation” by the Kenya Kwanza regime.
The controversy follows a wave of abductions in Kenya since June 2024, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reporting over 80 cases amid protests against tax hikes. The recent assassination of MP Charles Ong’ondo Were in Nairobi has heightened fears of targeted attacks on politicians. @wfayzah on X described Koimburi’s condition as “critical,” while @Gideon_Kitheka urged calm to allow DCI investigations.
What’s Being Investigated?
The DCI is focusing on several aspects of the incident:
- Viral Video Authenticity: Analyzing the footage to determine if the abduction was staged or genuine.
- Scene Documentation: Officers from Juja have documented the coffee plantation site, with questions about how Koimburi was found and by whom.
- Witness Accounts: Statements from Koimburi’s wife, churchgoers, and the boda boda rider who alerted his family are under review.
- Medical Evidence: Investigating claims of torture, including alleged chemical injections, with hospital reports pending.
- Prior Escape: Probing Koimburi’s Friday escape to ascertain if it influenced Sunday’s events.
The Bigger Picture: Political Tensions and Public Safety
The incident underscores broader issues in Kenya’s political and security landscape:
- Political Intimidation: Gachagua and opposition leaders argue that Koimburi’s ordeal is part of a pattern targeting critics of Ruto’s government, especially in the Mt. Kenya region, a DCP stronghold.
- Rising Abductions: The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights’ report of over 80 abductions since June 2024 has fueled public distrust, with @jacksoh64 on X noting Koimburi’s “tortured” state as a sign of worsening security (@jacksoh64, May 26, 2025).
- Police Accountability: The NPS’s denial and claim of a staged abduction have drawn skepticism, with Ann Koimburi accusing security officials of involvement, saying, “You are supposed to protect us, not harm us.”
- Land Fraud Issues: Land disputes in Juja and Thika are a recurring source of conflict, often tied to political power plays, making Koimburi’s case a potential flashpoint.
What Kenyans Can Do
To address the incident and broader concerns, citizens can take action:
- Report Information: Share details about the abduction with police via 999, 911, 112, or #FichuakwaDCI (0800 722 203).
- Demand Transparency: Urge the NPS and DCI to release findings promptly to clarify the incident’s circumstances.
- Support Investigations: Cooperate with authorities to ensure a thorough probe, as encouraged by @SpokespersonGoK (@SpokespersonGoK, May 26, 2025).
- Stay Vigilant: Monitor political developments and report suspicious activities to prevent further abductions.
The NPS’s dismissal of Juja MP George Koimburi’s abduction claims as a ploy to evade a land fraud arrest has deepened Kenya’s political divide. The viral video of Koimburi in distress, coupled with Gachagua’s allegations of state-sponsored torture, has intensified public and opposition outrage. As the DCI investigates the incident and Koimburi recovers in hospital, Kenyans are left grappling with questions about security, political persecution, and justice. The NPS’s commitment to a thorough probe is a start, but transparency and accountability are crucial to restoring trust.
