DCI: Kenyan MP’s ‘abduction’ was carefully orchestrated hoax

Authorities, who have described the incident as a staged abduction, intensified their investigation after taking Grace Nduta Wairimu, the councillor for Kanyenya-Ini Ward, into custody.

A statement issued yesterday by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) revealed that preliminary findings confirmed the councillor spent the night with the MP at Ellis Bar and Restaurant on the day the alleged abduction occurred.

“Circulating social media reports claiming that the Kanyenya-Ini councillor was abducted are false. She was arrested on 29 May 2025 in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the fabricated abduction of Koimburi,” reads the statement.

Signed by John Marete on behalf of the DCI, the report added: “Despite her claims of attending a church service and later a public rally in Kangema, evidence confirms she was with Mr Koimburi.”

According to the statement, on 25 May 2025 the day of the purported kidnapping the councillor and the MP were together at Ellis Bar and Restaurant in Kiganjo, Gatundu South, and remained there overnight.

The Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) has since confirmed that the abduction was staged by the MP and his associates.

The vehicles allegedly used in the fake kidnapping have been recovered.

A statement issued on 28 May 2025 by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Kirocho noted that three additional suspects involved in planning and executing the hoax had been arrested and interrogated.

Among the detainees is Juja Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Chairman Peter Kiratu, alongside Cyrus Muhia and Karanja Gatana.

The trio has reportedly confessed to taking part in the orchestrated event.

Mr Kiratu allegedly told police that on 25 May, he had attended a church service at Full Gospel Church in Mugutha with the MP.

As they were leaving, a Subaru Forester pulled up, and the MP was forcibly taken.

Mr Kiratu reported the incident at Mugutha Police Station and later claimed he received a phone call from the MP, saying he had been dumped in a coffee plantation. Mr Kiratu allegedly went to the scene and rushed him to hospital.

The inside plot

Mr Muhia, a close associate of the MP, reportedly told investigators that on 24 May 2025, Mr Kiratu had called requesting to borrow his Subaru, claiming it was needed to transport extra security personnel for the MP at the church.

He said Mr Kiratu directed him to his residence, where he found Gatana driving Kiratu’s Honda CRV, accompanied by three unidentified men.

The group then went to the church premises to familiarise themselves with the area.

Later, Mr Kiratu allegedly instructed Mr Muhia to drive the Subaru Forester with two of the men to the church.

On arrival, the pair alighted quickly, and the MP was heard screaming as he was bundled into the car.

The group reportedly drove towards Jacaranda Coffee Research Station via Kambogo Road.

The MP then instructed them to stop near the Honda CRV (registration KBP 096W), owned by Kiratu.

Mr Muhia said he was left there with the two men, who warned him against alerting the police.

Both the Subaru and the Honda CRV involved in the operation have now been recovered by the authorities.

‘Kidnapper’ speaks out

IGP Kirocho stated that Karanja had been arrested and admitted to being the one who accompanied the MP to a hotel, where they drank and spent the night with the two alleged abductors.

On 26 May, using Mr Kiratu’s vehicle, Mr Karanja said he drove the MP to the site where he later claimed to have been dumped.

Before exiting the vehicle, he helped the MP tear his clothes to simulate a violent abduction.

The Inspector General appealed to the public to support the ongoing investigations, as efforts continue to trace and interrogate the MP over the staged incident.

How the ‘abduction’ story spread

Mr Koimburi, a known ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, was reported to have been abducted after a church service at Full Gospel Church, Mugutha. He was later taken to Karen Hospital.

News of the alleged abduction quickly went viral on social media, with a video showing a vehicle speeding off from the church premises.

His wife, Ann Koimburi, claimed the abductors were disguised as churchgoers and had taken her husband without identifying themselves.

“We had just left the church, and as usual, my husband was greeting congregants. Suddenly, two men approached and forced him into a vehicle, which then sped off,” she claimed.

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa alleged the MP had been seized by state security agents in what he termed a planned operation.

A bodaboda (motorbike taxi) rider is said to have found the MP. In initial reports, the rider claimed he had been assaulted by the alleged kidnappers.

However, police have distanced themselves from the incident, saying investigations are ongoing.

A police officer, speaking anonymously, revealed authorities were now investigating how those who claimed to have found the MP in a field were able to identify him.

“His phone was unreachable from Friday, 23 May 2025, when officers attempted to arrest him but the operation was aborted. He was last seen fleeing Juja on a bodaboda,” the officer said.

The MP’s driver was later arrested and taken to DCI headquarters. During interrogation, he allegedly stated the MP instructed him to drop him at a roadside, fearing arrest.

The MP then fled on a bodaboda, and his phone remained off until reports of the ‘abduction’ emerged.

Police visited both the scene of the supposed abduction and the field where he was found. Witnesses confirmed there were no signs of a struggle.