Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- A court has freed four suspects linked to the controversial abduction of Juja MP George Koimburi, among them a sitting Murang’a MCA and a senior NG-CDF official.

This comes even as questions continue to swirl over whether the entire incident was a politically orchestrated stunt.

Milimani Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii Mugo on Friday, May 30, ruled that the prosecution had failed to present compelling reasons to continue holding the suspects, despite the seriousness of the charges.

The four, Kanyenyaini Ward MCA Grace Nduta Wairimu, Juja Constituency CDF Chairman Peter Kiratu Mbaru, David Macharia Gatana, and Cyrus Kieru Muhia, were each released on a bond of KSh1 million with a surety of a similar amount, or a cash bail of KSh300,000.

"The court cannot ignore the fact that the likely charges facing the respondents are serious, and there is a need to ensure that the investigations are not jeopardised," Magistrate Mugo noted.

She also imposed strict bail conditions, including that the four are barred from contacting any witnesses, including Koimburi, either directly or indirectly through third parties.

They must also report to the lead investigator, Chief Inspector Nicholas Njoroge of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters Operations Support Unit, once a week or whenever summoned.

DCI had sought to detain the suspects for 15 more days, arguing that Koimburi was yet to record a formal statement and his medical condition made it difficult to obtain critical information.

Inspector Njoroge told the court that the alleged abduction, which took place on Sunday, May 25, outside Full Gospel Ebenezer Church in Mugutha, appeared staged and might have been orchestrated “with intent to murder” or mislead law enforcement.

He cited the lack of clarity around Koimburi’s motive, adding that the MP had previously evaded arrest during a public event and had since remained elusive.

"The allegations are serious, involving a sitting Member of Parliament, and the motive behind the alleged abduction remains unclear," Njoroge stated.

According to police documents, the report of Koimburi’s disappearance was filed by Kiratu at Mugutha Police Station.

He claimed the MP was taken by two masked men in a Subaru Forester shortly after a church service.

CCTV footage and witness statements confirmed the vehicle used was a black Subaru registered as KDG 803B, which police say belongs to the third respondent, Cyrus Kieru.

But even more incriminating was DCI's revelation that the MP had been seen the night before his alleged abduction at a popular entertainment spot in Kiganjo, Gatundu South, in the company of Nduta.

This contradicts her earlier statement that she was in Kangema attending church and political events.

Following his hospital admission, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua alleged that Koimburi was abducted and tortured by professionals, claiming police involvement.

Gachagua stated that doctors confirmed Koimburi suffered soft tissue injuries and had been injected with a chemical that impaired his speech.

He mentioned that Koimburi, unable to speak, communicated through writing, indicating that the chemical affected his vocal cords.

Source: TUKO.co.ke