Aasai

A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi, who is accused of masterminding a fake abduction in a bid to avoid arrest and derail a land fraud case against him. The warrant was issued on Tuesday after Koimburi failed to appear at the Milimani Law Courts for his arraignment. He was to be charged alongside Kanyenya-ini Ward MCA Grace Nduta Wairimu and five other suspects.

According to court documents and submissions by the prosecution, the dramatic incident unfolded on May 25, 2025, in the Mugutha area of Juja sub-county. Koimburi and his co-accused allegedly faked the MP’s abduction just days before he was expected in court to answer to four serious counts related to land fraud. The incident was meant to create a diversion and derail the impending legal proceedings. The other accused persons include Peter Kiratu Muhia, David Macharia Gatana, Cyrus Keriu Muhia, and two individuals identified only as Peter and Njuguna, alias “Njugush.”

The MP was reportedly “abducted” outside a church where he had attended a service and later found abandoned in a plantation in Ruiru. He was then rushed to Plainsview Hospital for treatment before being transferred to Nairobi Hospital. During this time, news of his supposed kidnapping dominated headlines and sparked outrage among political allies, particularly those aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. They condemned the act, alleging that Koimburi had been tortured by unidentified attackers and left for dead.

However, subsequent investigations by law enforcement painted a very different picture. The State now claims that the entire incident was a staged drama, aimed at frustrating police efforts to arrest Koimburi and bring him to court over allegations of fraud. Authorities further allege that those involved acted in concert to defeat the course of justice, in violation of Section 117(c) of the Penal Code.

Adding to his legal woes, Koimburi faces a separate charge of publishing false information. This stems from a YouTube video posted during his stay at Nairobi Hospital, in which he claimed to have been abducted, beaten, and left in critical condition. The video garnered sympathy and sparked political condemnation, but prosecutors now say it was all part of the broader deception to manipulate public perception and avoid arrest.

One of the co-accused, Peter Kiratu Muhia, is also facing an additional charge of giving false information to a public officer. He allegedly reported the fake abduction to police officers at Mugutha Police Station, leading to a full-scale investigation and the misallocation of police resources. Authorities say this deliberate misinformation caused unnecessary panic and wasted valuable time and public funds.

Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi, four of the seven accused appeared and denied the charges. The magistrate promptly issued arrest warrants for Koimburi and two others who failed to present themselves in court. The court warned that non-compliance with lawful summons would not be tolerated and directed police to expedite their arrests.

Legal experts observing the case say the charges—particularly the alleged abuse of public sympathy and misuse of state resources—could carry serious legal and political consequences. If convicted, Koimburi and his co-accused could face jail terms, hefty fines, and even disqualification from holding public office.

The case is set to be mentioned again as police intensify efforts to locate the missing suspects. Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has affirmed its commitment to ensuring the matter is prosecuted thoroughly, stating that attempts to undermine the justice system through deceit and manipulation will not go unpunished.