The National Police Service (NPS) has distanced itself from claims that it abducted Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi, stating that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances under which the lawmaker was allegedly seized and later found abandoned in a coffee plantation.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, addressing the media on Tuesday, said that the attention of the Police was drawn to a video showing the MP lying in a coffee plantation in Juja that had circulated on both social and mainstream media.

This, he said, prompted the police from Juja to respond swiftly, visiting the alleged scene and thoroughly documenting the area.

According to the police boss, inconsistencies were noted between the video and the actual site.

“Upon comparing the vegetation and road dimensions at the scene with those in the video, it was established that the two did not match. During questioning, Moses Kariuki, the caretaker of the coffee farm which is owned by one Jimmy Wanjigi, stated that he had not witnessed such an incident,” said Kanja.

He said that the investigation team proceeded to Plainview Hospital in Ruiru, where Koimburi was taken before being transferred to Karen Hospital.

They confirmed the vehicle that took him there, registration number KCJ 660P, belongs to the legislator and was driven by Frida Njeri, who is said to have been the first responder at the scene.

“The hospital did not disclose the nature of the treatment or first aid administered, making it difficult to assess the extent of the alleged injuries,” Kanja said.

On Monday, the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had alleged that Koimburi had been picked up by undercover officers after attending a church service in Mugutha, and that his wife was thrown out of the vehicle as she tried to intervene.

Gachagua said the MP was tortured, made to inhale harmful chemicals, and left in a critical condition.

“He was badly beaten and in very serious condition. Doctors have confirmed he was tortured by professionals. He has very serious soft tissue injuries and has lost his voice,” Gachagua said after visiting the MP in the hospital.

IG Kanja did not directly address the allegations, but stated that attempts by investigators to access the MP for a statement had been blocked by his family.

“To date, the investigating team has interviewed and recorded statements from five individuals, with several more expected to provide their accounts and particularly Hon. George Koimburi, whom we shall interview at the earliest opportunity after his family objected to our attempts to reach him,” said Kanja.

Kanja also said that Koimburi is under investigation for a land fraud case and that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had approved his prosecution before the alleged abduction.

“On Friday, the MP, fully aware of the police’s intention to arrest him, evaded arrest by escaping on a motorcycle with his private security and switched off his mobile phone. His car, occupied only by his driver, was intercepted, and the driver was arrested but later released after recording a statement. The MP only resurfaced yesterday, coinciding with the abduction claims,” said Kanja.