Juja MP George Koimburi Arrested, Charged With Cybercrime Over AUC Bribery Claim

Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi was reportedly detained by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday morning following his provocative statements regarding the recent African Union Commission (AUC) elections.

Koimburi, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, allegedly drew the ire of authorities after accusing President William Ruto of bribery in an attempt to sway votes for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the AUC chairperson race.

These claims surfaced over the weekend, with Koimburi alleging that the Kenyan government had bribed African presidents with over KSh 13 billion in an unsuccessful attempt to secure the AUC leadership for Odinga. Ultimately, Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf was elected as the new chairperson.

Koimburi’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, said on Tuesday that authorities argue his statements violate Section 22 of the Computer and Cybercrimes Act.

According to the charge sheet, the MP has been charged in one count of false publication and one count of offensive conduct.

The charge sheet cites Koimburi’s remarks made on February 16, 2025, at PCEA Juja Farm Parish: “Tuko na hofu katika Jamhuri ya Kenya sababu ya kuona pesa za umma zikitumika vibaya kwenda kuhonga watu ndio waweze kumchagua Raila Odinga, ni aibu kubwa sana amabayo tumeina siku ya jana,” which translates loosely to: “We are worried as a country when taxpayers’ funds are misused to boost Raila Odinga’s election. It’s a huge embarrassment.”

Authorities argue that the statements were “knowingly false and intended to incite unrest, amounting to incitement against the government of Kenya.”

Njiru added that Koimburi has been denied bail and is currently being held at Kamkunji Police Station.

“They have refused to grant him bail, but we are exploring other facilities to secure his freedom,” Njiru said.