Juja MP Koimburi Found Alive After Alleged Abduction

Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi was discovered alive on Monday morning in a coffee plantation in Kiambu County, following an alleged abduction that occurred on Sunday afternoon. 

Koimburi was reportedly seized outside a church in Kiambu County by two unidentified men disguised as worshippers. Witnesses described a scene of violence as the men forced the MP into a Subaru Forester with altered license plates. Ann Koimburi, the MP’s wife, sustained injuries while attempting to prevent the abduction.

The MP was found unconscious, hours after disturbing videos surfaced depicting him visibly battered and in distress. He is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital near Ruiru town. The Kenya Police have denied any involvement in the abduction and stated that an investigation is underway following a report filed by Koimburi’s family. 

However, the motive behind the alleged kidnapping remains unclear. Sources close to the MP claim he had been under surveillance for the past week, fueling suspicions of an attempt to intimidate or silence him. Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa, a close ally of Koimburi, revealed that the MP had narrowly escaped capture on a previous occasion. 

"They had been following him since he was handing out bursaries last week. It was sheer luck that he managed to escape on a motorbike," Thang'wa said, suggesting a coordinated effort to target the legislator.

Police authorities have stated that Koimburi was being sought for questioning over allegations of land fraud and misuse of Constituency Development Funds (CDF). However, opposition figures have dismissed these claims, asserting that the abduction is politically motivated. They link the incident to escalating tensions between the government and leaders of the Democratic Change Party (DCP), to which Koimburi belongs.

Former Deputy President and DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the alleged abduction, describing it as an attempt to suppress opposition voices. Gachagua claims the recent crackdown on DCP figures is part of a broader scheme to derail the party's efforts to challenge the government.

The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in Kenya, where opposition leaders have frequently accused the state of employing repressive tactics to silence dissent. A day before Koimburi's disappearance, police reportedly disrupted a planned rally by DCP supporters in Kakamega, and the party's Deputy Leader, Cleophas Malala, had his vehicle impounded for alleged reckless driving.

Further complicating the narrative, Koimburi was previously intercepted by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officials earlier this year over comments he made regarding Kenya’s financial involvement in the African Union Commission chairperson elections. He alleged that Ksh13 billion had been spent to lobby support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid.

As investigations continue, pressure is mounting on authorities to provide clear answers and ensure that those responsible for the shocking act are brought to justice.