There was drama outside the Kiambu Law Courts on Thursday morning after security officers attempted to re-arrest Juja MP George Koimburi, who had just been released after the hearing of his court case.
In the company of his lawyers and supporters, Koimburi breathed a sigh of relief after being in custody for two days. But the relief was to be cut short had it not been for the intervention of his aide, who was captured alerting him of police presence.
Subsequently, Koimburi fled on foot before hitching a ride on a motorcycle to evade another arrest. The unfortunate incident left behind dejected supporters, who followed him.
Before the drama, Koimburi’s lawyers had addressed members of the press after a court session where they sought the MP’s release on bail for skipping court sessions.
The legislator, who was arrested on Tuesday, days after questioning the government’s expenditure on the AUC Chairman’s bid, was arraigned on Wednesday and faced six charges of forging academic certificates. He denied the charges and was released on a Ksh.200,000 cash bail.
“The court has been able to admit him to bail pending a ruling on the same, that is why we have him today as a free man and that is why we are saying through the use of the law we shall overcome all these challenges,” Koimburi’s lawyer Ndegwa Njiru said.
“I want to encourage the honourable member to make a motion on the floor of the House and question the expenditure which went on at the African Union campaign,” Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo stated.
The actions outside Kiambu Law Courts have raised concerns among elected leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who claim there is a plan to silence those criticizing the government through arrests.
“Why send police to come and arrest an MP whom you have given a police officer as a bodyguard? Just call the bodyguard and tell him we need him somewhere,” Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa said.
“Kindly let us have that schedule so that I can wear properly knowing very well I will spend the night in a police station,” Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara added.
Gachagua allies, who have been affected in the ongoing purge in Parliamentary committees, now allege that the plan is to sideline Mt. Kenya regions as their positions are being dished to members of the broad-based government who do not necessarily hail from their region.
“If indeed the problem was Rigathi Gachagua, why is he punishing a whole community? Why is he punishing a whole region? Case on point, every seat that belonged to Mt. Kenya has been taken to other regions in the country. He has his own sycophants in Mt. Kenya, why not give to them?” Posed Nyandarua Senator John Methu.
