Family Blocks Detectives from Questioning Koimburi as Police Arrest Close Associate Who Owns Subaru Used in Escape

Police arrest vehicle owner as MP’s family continues to deny investigators access

Police have intensified investigations into Juja MP George Koimburi’s alleged abduction by arresting a close associate who owns the Subaru Forester the legislator allegedly used to evade arrest, even as his family continues blocking detectives from questioning him.

The arrest of Cyrus Kieru Muhia, identified as the owner of the vehicle and described as a close ally of the MP, marks a significant development in the controversial case that has divided opinion between police skepticism and political support for Koimburi’s abduction claims.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that investigators have been frustrated in their attempts to interview the MP, whose family has reportedly denied them access despite ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding his alleged kidnapping on May 26.

“To date, the investigation team has interviewed and recorded statements from five individuals, with several more expected to provide their accounts,” Kanja stated, adding that efforts to reach Koimburi have been consistently blocked by his family members.

The arrest comes as police maintain their position that the abduction was staged, pointing to several inconsistencies that have emerged during their probe.

According to Kanja, Koimburi had evaded arrest on Friday, May 23, after the Director of Public Prosecutions approved charges against him in connection with a land fraud case.

“He escaped arrest by fleeing on a motorcycle alongside his private security detail and subsequently switched off his mobile phone. His driver was apprehended but later released after giving a statement,” the police chief revealed.

The MP resurfaced three days later, coinciding with the circulation of a video purporting to show him being found unconscious at a coffee plantation in Kiambu County owned by businessman Jimmy Wanjigi.

However, forensic investigations at the scene have raised serious doubts about the authenticity of the incident.

Officers who visited the farm found that vegetation and road features did not match what was depicted in the video, while the caretaker, Moses Kariuki, stated he witnessed no such incident.

Adding to police suspicions, Koimburi was reportedly driven to Plainview Hospital in Ruiru in his own Toyota vehicle with registration number KCJ 660P by Frida Njeri, who claimed to be the first person to find him.

The hospital declined to disclose details of the treatment administered to the MP.

The case has sparked a political backlash, with opposition leaders rallying behind Koimburi. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who visited the MP at Karen Hospital where he is currently receiving treatment, criticized police for suggesting the legislator may have orchestrated his own abduction.

“It is a shame for anyone to suggest the legislator abducted himself. We must not trivialize such serious matters,” Musyoka said, accusing the government of conducting a witch hunt against opposition politicians.

Despite the political pressure, police have maintained their investigation will continue with “the highest standards of professionalism and diligence.” Kanja emphasized that specialized teams from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and forensic experts remain deployed to examine evidence and uncover the truth.

The arrest of Muhia and the recovery of the Subaru Forester represent the first concrete action by police beyond questioning witnesses, suggesting investigators are building a case around the events of May 23 when Koimburi initially evaded arrest.

As the investigation continues, the standoff between police and Koimburi’s family over access to the MP threatens to complicate efforts to establish the truth behind the controversial incident that has captured national attention and deepened political divisions.

Police have urged anyone with relevant information about the case to report to the nearest police station or call their toll-free numbers as they work to conclude their investigations.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​