According to the paper, the controversy over the alleged abduction of Juja MP George Koimburi deepened after Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja claimed the lawmaker faked the incident with help from his associates.

Preliminary findings suggest Koimburi staged his disappearance outside Full Gospel Church in Mugutha, Kiambu.

A suspect in custody reportedly confessed to abducting the MP, taking him to a local hotel, and later dropping him off at a coffee plantation, where he was found disoriented and injured.

According to police, a Subaru Forester, borrowed by a Juja CDF official, was used in the staged abduction. Its registration was altered to hide its identity.

Koimburi was later transferred to a Honda belonging to his foundation and allegedly spent the night at The Ellis Bar and Restaurant in Kiganjo.

Investigators say the MP’s injuries were self-inflicted and that the fake abduction may have been a strategy to avoid imminent arrest over ongoing investigations.

DCI boss Mohamed Amin confirmed they traced the MP’s movements and noted that police were later blocked from questioning him at Karen Hospital.

MPs Gabriel Tongoyo and Daniel Nanok, who visited the hospital on a fact-finding mission, were denied access, despite being on official parliamentary duty.

Tongoyo expressed concern about being shut out while other politicians, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, had earlier been allowed in.

Minority Leader Junet Mohamed dismissed the saga as a “political stunt,” calling it one of Kenya’s most outrageous scandals.

According to the Swahili publication, Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya resumed duty even as he faced charges at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi.

The governor began working from the Kiminini Sub-County offices to comply with a court order, seemingly avoiding the trap of being completely removed from office.

This has automatically shifted the centre of authority from his official office in the city centre to the Kiminini Sub-County office, from where he is now carrying out his official duties.

During his bail ruling, the Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi barred Governor Natembeya from operating from his official offices for 60 days.

This followed his arrest at his Nairobi home, which was raided by EACC detectives before he was taken to court.

The paper reported that former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has convened a strategic meeting with senior officials of his Democratic Change Party (DCP) to plan for a new venue and logistics following the abrupt cancellation of their planned launch at the Kasarani Indoor Arena.

Sports Kenya revoked DCP’s reservation just days before the event, prompting accusations of political interference.

The launch, which was initially slated for Tuesday, was expected to be a major comeback for Gachagua.

The DCP had billed it as a landmark event featuring symbolic rituals and performances aimed at positioning Gachagua as a dominant figure in Mt Kenya politics and a credible presidential contender in 2027.

At least 5,000 people were expected to attend, including party members, elders, youth leaders, and the media.

Party insiders say the leadership is now considering alternative venues, including private locations and county-owned stadiums such as Kirigiti and Thika.

DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga confirmed that they are leaning toward private facilities due to what he termed “government hostility.”

Allies of Gachagua have blamed President William Ruto’s administration for the cancellation, calling it an attempt to stifle political competition.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, a vocal supporter of Gachagua, accused Ruto of using state power to intimidate rivals.

He argued that even negative attention can be politically useful and drew comparisons to the tolerance shown by former president Uhuru Kenyatta during past power struggles.

As per the paper, President William Ruto begins a four-day visit to Nyanza ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations.

Former prime minister Raila Odinga is expected to join him during parts of the tour, marking a notable moment of political cooperation.

Originally, Ruto was scheduled to start his visit in Migori County, which he toured just three weeks ago.

However, the stop in Migori has been dropped from the itinerary following internal political disputes among local leaders.

Although the county government cited scheduling conflicts with events in Kisumu, insiders attribute the cancellation to growing tension and power struggles.

Sources reveal that a meeting in Nairobi, led by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and attended by several Migori MPs, concluded with a resolution to boycott the tour.

The legislators claimed they were excluded from planning and blamed Governor Ochillo Ayacko for sidelining other elected leaders.

One MP said the governor had made unilateral decisions about the President’s visit, leading to frustrations among representatives whose constituencies were to host the events.

Governor Ayacko met with President Ruto last week without involving other local leaders, a move that further deepened the rift.

Migori MCAs had earlier requested a broader meeting involving all elected officials, but their appeal was not honoured.

Source: TUKO.co.ke