Koimburi Was Tortured By Professionals, ‘Poisoned’ With Inhalations and Unable to Speak, Gachagua Claims

Former Deputy President alleges systematic assault on Juja MP following mysterious abduction

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive allegations about the condition of Juja MP George Koimburi, claiming the legislator was “tortured by professionals” and subjected to chemical inhalation during his alleged abduction ordeal.

Speaking at Karen Hospital on Monday where Koimburi is receiving treatment, Gachagua painted a disturbing picture of the MP’s condition following his mysterious disappearance and subsequent discovery in a coffee plantation in Kibichoi, Githunguri sub-county.

“He was tortured by professionals. He has lost his voice and the doctors are working round the clock to restore his vocal cords,” Gachagua told reporters. “Some chemicals were administered through inhalation; the doctors have told us.”

The former Deputy President’s claims add another layer of intrigue to an already complex saga that began last Friday when Koimburi allegedly fled on a motorcycle from a bursary event at Gachororo Primary School, claiming he was being pursued by security officers.

According to his family, Koimburi was abducted on Sunday outside Full Gospel Church in Mugutha by individuals posing as police officers who bundled him into a waiting Subaru vehicle. A video circulating online shows people outside the church appealing for intervention, though it does not capture the actual moment of the alleged abduction.

The MP was found unconscious Monday morning in a coffee plantation by a motorcycle taxi rider and good Samaritans who contacted his wife, Ann Koimburi. He was subsequently rushed to Karen Hospital.

“He has told us he was assaulted by police. He is struggling to speak and he is in pain,” said David Gatana, Koimburi’s Personal Assistant, speaking on behalf of the MP’s wife.

Gachagua insisted that despite the severity of the alleged assault, Koimburi was “out of danger” and that blood and urine samples had been sent to private laboratories for testing to determine what substances may have been administered to him.

However, government spokesman Michael Muchiri vehemently denied state involvement in any abduction, suggesting instead that Koimburi had orchestrated the entire incident to evade arrest on pending charges.

“We have evaluated the whole situation since Friday… In all the situations, Mr Koimburi is trying to whip up emotions among his supporters because of his imminent arrest over land fraud case he is actively involved in Juja and the ongoing case where he is alleged to have faked academic certificates,” Muchiri stated.

The allegations come against the backdrop of Koimburi’s legal troubles. In February, he was charged with forging academic certificates, including a 1994 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education certificate and university documents from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Koimburi, who was first elected in a 2021 by-election and re-elected in 2022, has fallen out of favor with the ruling party leadership due to his association with Gachagua, who was impeached and removed from office as Deputy President in October. The MP has consistently claimed that the charges against him constitute a political witch-hunt stemming from his criticism of the government.

Last year, Koimburi made headlines by alleging that MPs had been bribed Sh2 million each to vote for the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which President William Ruto later withdrew following public protests.

The contrasting narratives between Gachagua’s torture allegations and the government’s claims of a staged abduction highlight the deepening political tensions surrounding figures associated with the former Deputy President. As investigations continue, the incident raises serious questions about the treatment of opposition voices and the extent of political persecution in Kenya’s current political climate.

Koimburi remains hospitalized as doctors work to assess and treat his condition, with his supporters maintaining that his ordeal represents a dangerous escalation in the targeting of government critics.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​