Kenyan Newspapers Review, May 27: Gachagua Claims Juja MP Can't Talk after Torture
The newspapers on Tuesday, May 27, reported on various matters of national interest, including concerns raised by the opposition over the state's alleged crackdown on dissent.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua sensationally claimed the state's involvement in the abduction of Juja MP George Koimburi.
1. Daily Nation
The newspaper covered the tribulations faced by Juja MP George Koimburi, who was reportedly abducted on Sunday, May 25.
He would later be found dumped in a coffee plantation on Monday, May 26.
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The MP was found in a sorry state of health and was rushed to The Karen Hospital for medical attention.
Gachagua visited him at the hospital and made accusations against the state.
He claimed the legislator was unable to speak and had to communicate his experience by writing it down.
According to the former deputy president, Koimburi inhaled a chemical during his capture, leading to his loss of speech.
Gachagua also asserted that the MP had soft tissue injuries, which suggested that he might have been subjected to professional torture.
"Some chemical was administered through inhalation, and the doctors have told us that preliminary investigations confirm that the chemical has interfered with his vocal cords. The doctors have assured us that they are doing everything within their power to make sure that he is out of danger," Gachagua said.
He added that samples from the MP's body had also been picked for further examination and analysis.
"They have taken blood and urine samples to different laboratories so that they can establish what could have happened in matters of poisoning," the former DP added.
Gachagua laid the blame on President William Ruto, whom he accused of running an abduction team targeting his (Gachagua's) allies.
The former DP claimed that with the instruction of the president, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had established a team of security officers to trouble those dissenting from the state.
Read also
Police deny abducting Juja MP George Koimburi, dumping him in coffee farm: "Duped officers"
2. People Daily
The newspaper spared space for President William Ruto's new jibe against his former deputy, Gachagua.
While touring Meru County, President Ruto openly expressed his admiration for Kindiki, crediting him as a key driving force behind many of his administration’s achievements.
During the launch of the Human-Wildlife Compensation Programme at Meru National Park, Ruto was unequivocal about Kindiki’s significant role in his leadership.
"Kindiki is the man I really wish I had started with because now I am proud I have a deputy whom you have seen crisscrossing the county, launching development projects and engaging Kenyans on how we can uplift our economy and improve lives," he said.
Ruto portrayed Kindiki as a steady, focused, and development-oriented leader, emphasising his ability to avoid controversy, tribal politics, and personal interests.
According to Ruto, Kindiki’s broad expertise in key areas such as agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, and security has made him indispensable in ensuring Cabinet Secretaries undertake their responsibilities.
His remarks also appeared to be a subtle critique of Gachagua, suggesting that the former deputy president was invested in divisive and tribal politics.
"There are those who never tire of politicking. They criticise government efforts, spreading lies and using cheap politics to try to divide Kenyans, but we must stay focused. When the time for the campaign comes, Kenyans will choose leaders based on development scorecards and not who makes the loudest noise," said Ruto.
3. Taifa Leo
The newspaper reported on the aftereffects of the recent diplomatic tiff between the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments, with reports emerging that Kenyan work permits were being revoked.
Secretary general of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), Francis Atwoli, claimed that Kenyans are now being denied work permits in Tanzania following the row involving activists.
This followed the deportation of Kenyan activists who had gone to witness the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Among those expelled were PLP leader Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and human rights activist Boniface Mwangi.
"Due to the activism of Kenyans in East Africa, now Kenyans working in Tanzania are being denied permits. This shows that there is a very big problem in East Africa," Atwoli claimed.
According to Atwoli, Kenyan activists and other leaders ought to use diplomacy and dialogue when there are complex leadership issues so as not to hurt workers in the region.
4. The Standard
The Standard reported on Gachagua's fightback against the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) after it summoned him.
Through his lawyer Kibe Mungai, Gachagua strongly criticised the agency, accusing it of bias and selective enforcement of the law.
In a formal letter dated May 26, 2025, addressed to NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia, Mungai condemned the commission for rebuking Gachagua’s recent statements during a YouTube TV interview, while allegedly ignoring incendiary remarks made by close allies of President William Ruto.
He accused the NCIC of deliberate complicity, claiming its silence on inflammatory comments from figures close to the State House indicated a failure in duty.
Gachagua urged the commission to first address provocative rhetoric from government insiders before summoning Gachagua.
The legal team specifically took issue with the NCIC’s alleged double standards, citing controversial remarks made by MPs William Kamket, Oscar Sudi, and Senator Samson Cherargei, all of whom, Mungai noted, had not faced NCIC scrutiny.
Among the statements highlighted was Kamket’s assertion about manufacturing a 24-year presidency and Sudi’s remark suggesting election results could be manipulated if necessary.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
