Nairobi -Three suspects appeared in court on Thursday over the alleged abduction of Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi an incident that has gripped national attention and raised fresh questions about political theatrics in Kenya.
Police say they are seeking 15 more days to hold the suspects as they dig into what they now believe was a staged incident. The case has triggered a political backlash and public confusion, especially after it emerged that a sitting county assembly member is among those in custody.
Murang’a’s Kanyenya-ini ward representative, Grace Nduta Wairimu, was arrested on Wednesday and is being questioned over her alleged involvement. She is said to have been with the MP on the night of his disappearance, despite initially claiming to have been at church and political events elsewhere.
“It has been confirmed that, despite her claims of being in Kangema on May 25, she was actually at the Ellis Bar and Restaurant in Kiganjo, Gatundu South, with Hon. Koimburi the entire night,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said in a statement on Thursday.
The DCI added that the vehicle reportedly used in the abduction a Subaru Forester was recovered earlier this week in Juja Township. At least five people have already given statements, officials said, and more arrests could follow.
Political Fallout and Public Doubt
The incident has stirred strong reactions across the political divide, with some allies of the MP defending him and others calling for a full inquiry.
Koimburi, who was found and admitted to Karen Hospital in Nairobi, is reportedly refusing to cooperate with investigators. According to police, he has declined to record a statement, fuelling further suspicion.
The DCI has made no formal charges yet but insists the evidence suggests the kidnapping was faked potentially for political mileage.
“This case raises troubling questions about the use of fear and deception in public life,” one senior law enforcement officer, who asked not to be named, told media. “If true, it undermines the seriousness of real abduction cases.”
The MP’s allies have remained mostly silent, though some have accused the police of targeting their colleague unfairly. As of Thursday evening, no official statement had been issued by Koimburi’s office or his party.
Meanwhile, Kenyans on social media have been split with some expressing outrage over the alleged hoax, while others insist the MP may still have been in danger.
Investigators say further updates will be shared once more evidence is reviewed. For now, the public remains in the dark about the motive, and whether political theatre has once again spilled over into law enforcement.
