Juja MP George Koimburi Charged with Staging Abduction, Released on KSh 300,000 Bail

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi appeared before Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, facing charges of orchestrating his own abduction to evade arrest in a separate land fraud case. The embattled lawmaker, who had previously sparked national controversy with his alleged kidnapping in May 2025, pleaded not guilty to two counts: conspiracy to defeat justice and publishing false information. Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi granted Koimburi a cash bail of KSh 300,000, with the condition that he provide three contact persons as sureties. The case is set for a pre-trial mention on August 5, 2025.

The charges stem from an incident on May 25, 2025, in Mugutha, Juja Sub-County, Kiambu County, where Koimburi allegedly conspired with others to stage his abduction. According to the prosecution, led by State Counsel Victor Owiti and Norah Awiti, the staged kidnapping was a deliberate attempt to prevent Koimburi’s arrest and arraignment at Kiambu Law Courts, where he faced four counts related to land fraud. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had issued a directive on May 20, 2025, for Koimburi to face these charges, prompting the alleged scheme to avoid court.

On June 7, 2025, while at Karen Hospital, Koimburi issued a press statement via his YouTube channel, claiming he had been abducted and tortured by unknown criminals. Prosecutors assert that this statement was false and intended to cause public panic, forming the basis of the second charge against him under Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. The prosecution highlighted that investigations revealed no evidence of a genuine abduction, with police concluding that Koimburi’s claims were fabricated.

Koimburi’s appearance on July 23 followed a warrant of arrest issued by Magistrate Ekhubi on July 16, 2025, after the MP failed to appear for plea-taking alongside co-accused individuals. On the day of his arraignment, Koimburi appeared frail, requiring assistance to navigate the court’s stairs and to sit during the proceedings. His defense counsel argued that he had been unable to attend earlier due to medical appointments at Karen Hospital, requesting a delay in plea-taking until August 5. However, Magistrate Ekhubi ordered Koimburi to appear in court by 2:00 p.m. on July 23 after completing a hospital visit, citing a medical letter indicating his treatment would conclude that day.

The prosecution did not oppose Koimburi’s bail application but requested that he present himself at Nairobi Area Traffic Headquarters for fingerprint processing. Initially, Koimburi’s lawyer proposed July 29 for the fingerprinting due to ongoing medical appointments, but the prosecution insisted on an earlier date, suggesting the weekend if necessary. Magistrate Ekhubi ordered Koimburi to comply by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, and maintained the KSh 300,000 cash bail terms previously set for his co-accused.

Koimburi is charged alongside six others: Kanyenya-ini Ward MCA Grace Nduta Wairimu, Peter Kiratu Mbari, David Macharia Gatana, Cyrus Muhia, Peter Kiratu, and an individual identified as Njuguna alias Njugush. The group is accused of conspiring to stage the May 25 abduction. Four of the co-accused—Grace Nduta Wairimu, Peter Kiratu Mbari, David Macharia Gatana, and Cyrus Muhia—had previously appeared in court on July 16, 2025, pleading not guilty and securing release on KSh 300,000 cash bail each. Arrest warrants were issued for Koimburi, Peter Kiratu, and Njuguna alias Njugush for failing to appear on that date.

Investigations into the alleged abduction revealed significant details. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director Mohamed Amin announced on May 28, 2025, that Koimburi’s kidnapping was staged. Suspects confessed to assisting Koimburi, including tearing his clothes to fabricate evidence of torture. Police recovered two vehicles—a Subaru Forester and a Honda CR-V—used in the scheme. One suspect admitted to driving Koimburi to a hotel where he spent the night before being “dumped” at Jacaranda Coffee Plantation in Juja on May 26, 2025.

The alleged abduction occurred shortly after Koimburi’s wife reported on May 25, 2025, that he was kidnapped outside a church in Mugutha after a service at Full Gospel Church. Videos of the incident, showing masked individuals forcing Koimburi into a Subaru Forester, circulated widely online, prompting concern from his family, fellow politicians, and the public. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a close ally of Koimburi, visited him at Karen Hospital on May 26, accusing the government of targeting vocal opposition figures. However, police investigations, supported by suspect confessions and vehicle tracking, concluded that the abduction was a ruse.

The prosecution alleges that Koimburi orchestrated the scheme to evade the land fraud charges, which involved a Sh10 million transaction. Additionally, Koimburi faces separate charges from February 2025 for forging academic certificates dating back to 1994, including a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and certificates from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). These legal troubles have compounded scrutiny on the MP, with parliamentarians condemning his actions as damaging to the National Assembly’s reputation.

Koimburi’s case has stirred significant controversy, with opposition leaders initially framing the alleged abduction as part of a broader wave of political intimidation in Kenya. Since mass protests against tax hikes began in June 2024, over 80 abductions have been reported, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. However, the revelation that Koimburi’s kidnapping was staged drew sharp criticism from fellow MPs, who called for swift investigations to restore public trust. DCI Director Mohamed Amin described the MP’s actions as “inconceivable,” noting the tension and fear they caused nationwide.

Koimburi, a known ally of Rigathi Gachagua, has claimed that his legal challenges are politically motivated due to his association with the former deputy president. In February 2025, he accused the government of targeting him after alleging that Sh13 billion was spent on Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission candidacy. His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, linked his earlier arrest for forgery to these political remarks.

The court has ordered Koimburi to cooperate with investigators, including providing fingerprints, as the DCI continues to probe the case. Vehicles detained in connection with the alleged abduction, which reportedly contained cheque books and title deeds, remain under investigation. The prosecution has emphasized Koimburi’s cooperation thus far but stressed the need for further evidence collection to finalize the case.

As the legal proceedings move forward, the case continues to draw attention for its implications on political accountability and public trust in Kenya’s institutions. The pre-trial hearing on August 5, 2025, will determine the next steps in this high-profile case, with Koimburi and his co-accused facing serious allegations that could impact their political careers and public perception.