Public outrage erupted in Juja on Monday morning as residents took to the streets in protest following the shocking abduction and torture of their Member of Parliament, George Koimburi. Demonstrators lit bonfires and blocked sections of Thika Road near Mang’u High School causing major traffic disruptions in both directions.

Videos shared widely on social media showed motorists weaving through burning tyres and thick smoke, as the usually busy highway was turned into a scene of chaos

The motivations behind the protests remain unclear, though reports suggest they were sparked by the alleged abduction and torture of Juja MP George Koimburi.

Koimburi was reportedly seized by unknown individuals on the afternoon of Sunday, May 25, during a church service in full view of the congregation, who watched in shock as he was bundled into a Subaru vehicle. His wife reportedly sustained injuries while trying to prevent the seizure.

He was later found on Monday morning, 18 hours after the ordeal, dumped at Jacaranda Coffee Plantation in the Kibichoi area of Ruiru. Unable to speak, the MP was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to Karen Hospital for specialized treatment.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who visited Koimburi at the hospital, claimed that the MP had been tortured using sophisticated methods. “Doctors confirmed that George Koimburi was tortured by professionals. He has soft tissue injuries and has lost his voice, likely due to chemical exposure through inhalation. He is now stable,” Gachagua said.

Authorities have yet to identify the individuals responsible for the abduction or the motive behind the act. Likewise, the arsonists who set the highway fires remain unknown, with no arrests made as of this publication