MPs cast doubt on Koimburi’s kidnap claims, call for probe

A section of MPs has questioned the credibility of Juja MP George Koimburi’s abduction claims, urging security agencies to move swiftly and establish the truth behind the incident.

The lawmakers spoke on Wednesday after the Chair of the Internal Administration and National Security Committee, Gabriel Tongoyo tabled preliminary findings indicating the MP may have staged his kidnapping.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah warned that if the claims turn out to be false, Koimburi’s actions would have brought shame to Parliament and betrayed public trust.

"We are not discussing one of us, but it is the dignity of the office of a Member of Parliament that is in question. If an MP who has been elected by his people to come and represent them in this House can dare engage in the criminality that we’ve seen Hon. Koimburi engage in, this should be one of the saddest days for this House," he said.

Ichung’wah recalled that Koimburi had previously made serious allegations in Parliament without evidence.

"This is the same Member who last year claimed that MPs were being paid Sh2 million to vote on the Finance Bill. You will remember that Hon. Koimburi appeared before this House, apologized and in our magnanimity, we accepted his apology and let that go. As a Hou,se we must not let this pass," he added.

Minority Whip Junet Mohamed dismissed the abduction as a staged political act meant to paint the government in bad light.

"To my shock, the report that has been tabled today in Parliament is what I can only term as the biggest political scandal in our country. Why do I say so? When I saw the first photo that was being shown on one of the media houses that is nowadays prone to fake news, from the way my colleague was sleeping, I could know this was a fake thing," he said.

Mohamed also compared the incident to the past hospitalization of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of using similar tactics.

"Now I have come to the conclusion that the director of this drama is none other than Mr Wamunyoro. This is the same thing he did when he was running away from interrogation at the Senate, you remember, during the impeachment. He went and admitted himself in the same hospital," he said.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo Mabona warned against making false claims that touch on security, saying they could have far-reaching consequences.

"It would be very unfortunate after our own Member of Parliament has been shot dead that you bring theatrics that touch on our security. Today it may be drama, tomorrow it may be reality," she said.

She urged the police to complete their investigations and take legal action if the claims are found to be false.

"The police have given us a preliminary report. Can the police conclude? And should this be found that this is actually false allegations, he should be prosecuted as an example to others. This is not a joke!"

Manyatta MP John Mukunji raised concerns about police independence and asked the Speaker to ensure the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is involved.

"Hon. Speaker, I want to say that your guidance on the investigation of this matter touches on all our security. We’ve heard complaints from various Members on how their security is being handled. We’ve lost a Member of Parliament, we know how costly it is to even go back to a by-election. Let us all be keen on our security, and I seek your guidance to ensure IPOA also gives a report on this matter," he said.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo expressed concern over unofficial updates on Koimburi’s medical condition by individuals not qualified to speak on health matters.

"The second one is something is developing where one is admitted, then people come and give updates on their medical condition, people who are not practitioners, within the vicinity of the hospital. That does not usually happen in most hospitals, I think that’s unique to this able establishment, not, and it is not a good thing because then you don’t know if one is speaking authoritatively or not," he said.

Amollo called for fair and thorough investigations to ensure justice is done.

"I expect that there would be a conclusive report. Once it is concluded, if indeed there were people who were involved in the kidnapping our colleague, they must be prosecuted. But if indeed there were people who coined this up and it was not true, they too must be prosecuted," he said.

Speaker Moses Wetang’ula assured the House that the matter had been forwarded to the relevant agencies and that Parliament would wait for a formal report before taking further steps.

"I personally can inform the House that I called the DCI and he informed that he was also denied the opportunity with his officers to see the Member. So, tell the IG to finalise and give us the conclusive investigations in the matter, then I will give directions," Wetang’ula stated.