The disappearance and subsequent reappearance of Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi has sparked strong reactions from opposition leaders, who are raising concerns over what they describe as a pattern of political repression and intimidation in the country.
Koimburi was reported missing on Sunday, 26 May 2025, after attending a church service. He was later found on a coffee farm under circumstances that remain unclear. The National Police Service (NPS) has stated that preliminary investigations suggest the MP may have orchestrated his own disappearance. However, opposition leaders have rejected this claim, calling for further inquiry and accountability.
Speaking at Karen Hospital, where the MP is receiving treatment, several opposition figures condemned the incident. Those present included Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, and former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi. They described the episode as an assault on democracy and freedom of expression.
The NPS remains a central player in the unfolding drama, having issued a statement alleging that Koimburi staged his disappearance—an assertion strongly disputed by the opposition.
Kalonzo rejected the police claims, stating: “We do not believe for one moment that Koimburi could have staged his abduction. That narrative is not only false, but it is also dangerous. It is an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans and a cover-up for what appears to be a deliberate act of intimidation.”
The opposition leaders addressed the media during a press briefing on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, at Karen Hospital in Nairobi, where they had visited Koimburi. The hospital setting lent gravity to their remarks, with the MP reportedly still recovering from his ordeal.
They cited previous incidents in Kakamega, Bungoma, and the Kerio Valley as evidence of a broader trend. In Kakamega, they referred to alleged police use of live ammunition at a political rally. In Bungoma, youths were reportedly arrested and mistreated after protesting sugar import deals involving the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC). They also cited recent threats allegedly issued to Catholic priests in the Kerio Valley who had called for peace amid local unrest.
“This is not just about Koimburi. It is about silencing those who dare speak the truth. It betrays the President’s pledge to uphold constitutional law,” read a joint statement by Eugene Wamalwa, DAP-K leader.
A joint opposition statement described the incidents as “deliberate and systematic efforts to instil fear and suppress political opposition.” They warned that such actions could erode democratic freedoms and diminish public trust in state institutions.
The NPS has not announced any formal investigations beyond its initial findings, and government officials have yet to respond in detail to the opposition’s claims. As calls grow for an independent inquiry into Koimburi’s disappearance and other related events, the issue continues to attract national attention, with civil society groups also urging transparency and respect for the rule of law.
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