Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has broken his silence over remarks made by Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen regarding Juja MP George Koimburi’s alleged abduction.
In a statement dated Monday, June 2, 2025, Gachagua stated that it is very unfortunate that Murkomen has criminalised Koimburi’s abduction.
“Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s recent call to criminalise so-called ‘fake abductions” is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to suppress dissent,” read part of his statement.
Additionally, Gachagua criticized the Interior CS, questioning how he determined that Juja’s MP’s abduction was fake, alluding to past instances where abductions had occurred, only for the government to later admit they had indeed taken place.
“Who decides what is ‘fake’? The same administration where the President and his top officials dismissed reports of abductions as fake news or self-inflicted, only to quietly admit the truth under public pressure?” said Gachagua.
Gachagua Criticizes State for Downplaying Koimburi’s Alleged Abduction
Furthermore, the former Deputy President expressed concern that if the state could readily dismiss abductions as hoaxes and prosecute those who speak out, victims and their families would have little recourse. He argued that this was a deliberate strategy to control public outrage and silence criticism by criminalizing the demand for justice.
At the same time, Gachagua condemned the arrest of Rose Njeri, a software developer who was arrested on Friday, May 30, 2025, for creating a website opposing the Finance Bill 2025.
Also Read: DCI Reveals How Arrested MCA Spent “Entire Night” with MP Koimburi
He stated that this incident reflects an ongoing attack on the youth of the country and an attempt to suppress their courage, innovative spirit, and belief in the power of their own voices.
“Rose Njeri, a young, brilliant software developer, is the latest victim of this repression. Her only “crime” was building an online tool to help ordinary Kenyans send their objections to the Finance Bill 2025. Instead of celebrating her innovation and contribution to civic engagement, the state has chosen to make an example of her,” added Gachagua.
Murkomen Claims Koimburi Staged His Own Abduction
Moreover, the former Deputy President called for the immediate release of Rose Njeri, accusing President Ruto’s administration of shedding crocodile tears over the plight of Gen Zs while pretending to seek forgiveness in a melancholic tone.
Juja MP George Koimburi’s alleged abduction on May 25, 2025, has dominated news headlines since it was first reported.
Also Read: Gachagua Backs Raila’s Demands to Ruto
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and other government officials have claimed, based on police investigations, that Koimburi staged his own abduction for political gain.
The National Police Service (NPS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) assert that Koimburi orchestrated the incident, citing evidence like CCTV footage showing him at a hotel on the night of the alleged kidnapping, inconsistencies in his account, and admissions from associates.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.