Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa now claims that his Juja counterpart George Koimburi staged his own abduction.
Speaking during Ukumbi wa Siasa show on TV47, MP Barasa made the sensational remarks, claiming to have talked to Koimburi via Signal shortly before his woes began.
According to Barasa, Koimburi confided in him about a certain land case that had placed him on a collision course with authorities.
“Katika simu yangu hii nilipigiwa simu na Koimburi kupitia mtandao wa Signal. Koimburi aliniambia kuwa polisi wanamuandama kwa kesi fulani ya shamba,” MP Barasa alleged during the show on Tuesday, May 27 night. “Alichukua shamba lakini inasemekana makaratasi aliyotumia yalikuwa makaratasi ghushi. Kwa hivyo kesi ilikuwa inafanywa.”
‘Switch off your phone and disappear’
After the alleged Signal conversation between the two legislators, Barasa claims he advised Koimburi to switch off his mobile phone(s) and go into hiding.
“Tulipozungumza naye, nilimwambia azime simu apotee. Lakini sikujua kuwa ataenda hatua zaidi ya kujiteka nyara, ajitupe kwenye shamba la kahawa,” Barasa added.
On his part, Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi empathised with the Juja legislator and the abduction ordeal. However, Nyakundi was also quick to cast aspersions on the whole situation.
“Suala la utekaji nyara wa Mbunge George Koimburi ni la kusikitisha sana endapo ni ukweli. Lakini polisi wanasema kuna walakini katika taarifa zake. Kwanza hana alama zozote za kupigwa, polisi wanataka kumtembelea hospitalini lakini amekataa.”
Update on investigations
Barasa and Nyakundi’s remarks came just hours after the National Police Services (NPS) issued a comprehensive update on the alleged abduction of MP Koimburi.
While referencing to an amateur video that circulated on social media, purportedly showing the MP abandoned at a farm in Juja, on Monday, May 26, the NPS says their officers swiftly visited the scene.
Upon comparing the vegetation and road dimensions at the scene with those in the video, NPS says, it was established that the two did not match.
During questioning, Moses Kariuki, the caretaker of the coffee farm which police say is owned by businessman-cum-politician Jimmy Wanjigi, stated that he had not witnessed such an incident.
The officers are then said to have proceeded to Plainview Hospital in Ruiru, where MP Koimburi had reportedly been taken for treatment.
Inconsistencies
“They confirmed that the vehicle used to transport him registration number KCJ 660P belonged to Hon. George Koimburi and was driven by Frida Njeri, who was also the first responder at the alleged crime scene,” the police say. “The hospital did not disclose the nature of the treatment or first aid administered, making it difficult to assess the extent of the alleged injuries.”
Meanwhile, a specialised team from the DCI Headquarters, supported by forensic experts from the National Forensic Laboratory, was promptly deployed to the scene to conduct a thorough examination, gather critical evidence, and establish the circumstances surrounding these allegations.
So far, investigators handling the case have interviewed and recorded statements from five individuals, with several more expected to provide their accounts and particularly MP Koimburi, “whom we shall interview at the earliest opportunity after his family objected to our attempts to reach him.”
The Service has assured Kenyans that it is committed to uncovering the truth regarding the abduction allegations with the highest standards of professionalism and diligence.
“We will continue to pursue all leads, analyse forensic evidence, and ensure that any perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Evading arrest
However, the police say that MP Koimburi has been under investigation for a land fraud case, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had already issued consent for his prosecution.
On Friday, May 23, police say, the MP was fully aware of the police’s intention to arrest him, but he evaded arrest by escaping on a motorcycle with his private security and switched off his mobile phone.
His car, occupied only by his driver, was intercepted, and the driver was arrested but later released after recording a statement.
“The MP only resurfaced yesterday, coinciding with the abduction claims. We once again urge anyone with information regarding the incident depicted in the video to report to their nearest police station or contact us via our toll-free numbers: 999, 911, 112, or #FichuakwaDCI (0800 722 203),” a police report reads in part.
