Court issues arrest warrant for Juja MP Koimburi over staged abduction plot

Juja MP George Koimburi. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

A Nairobi court has issued an arrest warrant for Juja MP George Koimburi after he failed to appear for plea taking in a case involving an alleged staged abduction and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi ordered the arrest of Koimburi and two co-accused, Peter Kiratu and a man identified only as Njuguna alias Njugush, after they skipped their scheduled court appearance on Wednesday.

The three are now required to appear in court on August 5, 2025, to face charges including conspiracy to defeat justice and providing false information in connection with Koimburi’s purported kidnapping.

Meanwhile, four other suspects; Kanyenya-ini MCA Grace Nduta Wairimu, Peter Kiratu Mbari, David Macharia Gatana, and Cyrus Muhia pleaded not guilty to charges of participating in the alleged abduction plot.

According to the prosecution, the suspects conspired to stage-manage Koimburi’s abduction on May 25 in Mugutha, Juja Constituency, to prevent his arrest and arraignment in connection with a Sh10 million land fraud case.

The arrest had been directed by the Director of Public Prosecutions in a letter dated May 20.

Koimburi and Kiratu face additional charges of publishing and giving false information. Prosecutors say Koimburi issued a statement via a YouTube channel on June 7 claiming he had been “abducted and tortured by criminals” a claim investigators allege was fabricated to incite public alarm.

Kiratu is separately accused of filing a false report at Mugutha Police Station on May 25, stating Koimburi had been abducted by masked men after a church service at Full Gospel Church. The report was recorded under OB number 21 by Constable Nelly Kabuu.

State Prosecutor Victor Owiti did not oppose bond for the four accused, noting they had previously been released on Sh300,000 cash bail and had cooperated with investigators. Their defense team assured the court of their willingness to follow any conditions imposed.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ekhubi allowed the accused to retain their bond terms but directed each to provide three contact persons as additional sureties.

The court also ordered police to conclude investigations into impounded vehicles reportedly containing cheque books and title deeds linked to the land fraud case.

The matter will be mentioned on August 5, for pre-trial directions.