By Nyakundi Bw’Otwere
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is calling on lawmakers to help strengthen Kenya’s legal framework on enforced disappearances.
This comes in the wake of the controversial case involving Juja MP George Koimburi, whose alleged abduction is now suspected by police to have been self-initiated.
Speaking in Naivasha during a National Assembly Awareness Workshop on the Strategic Goods Control (SGC) Bill, 2025, Murkomen expressed concern over what he termed a growing trend of staged abductions.
He warned that such actions not only divert vital law enforcement resources but also undermine the gravity of genuine kidnapping cases.
“We need a comprehensive legal framework that will punish those who exploit these situations for their own selfish interests,” the CS said, “thereby misusing security resources that are essential for ensuring the safety of Kenyans.”
Murkomen added that self-abductions pose a growing threat to minors and vulnerable groups, warning that the trend could spiral out of control if not addressed.
The National Police Service recently provided an update on the ongoing investigation into Koimburi’s case, noting that inquiries remain active.
Initial reports had claimed the MP was forcibly taken by unknown individuals under unclear circumstances.
However, on May 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrest of Juja Constituency Development Fund Chairman Peter Kiraitu, Koimburi ally Cyrus Kieru, and Karanja Gatana in connection to the alleged abduction, which took place after a church event.
Public concern has mounted amid conflicting reports, with civil society and citizens calling for transparency and accountability in the handling of the case.
As of press time, the three suspects, along with Grace Nduta, Member of County Assembly for Kenyenya-ini in Murang’a County, had been released on a cash bail of KSh300,000 each.
The bail terms are intended to secure their court attendance as the case proceeds.
Meanwhile, the SGC Bill, 2025, which was a key focus of the Naivasha workshop, aims to bolster the legal regime governing the trade in strategic goods, including dual-use and military items.
It seeks to align Kenya with international standards on non-proliferation, particularly concerning weapons of mass destruction, conventional arms, and sensitive technologies that could pose national or regional security threats.
Key provisions of the Bill include the establishment of a Strategic Goods Control Authority to oversee licensing, compliance, and enforcement.
It also proposes the creation of a national control list detailing goods and technologies subject to regulation.
All sensitive transfers would require mandatory end-user certification and risk assessments, while severe penalties—including imprisonment and hefty fines—are outlined for those found engaging in illicit trade.
Government officials say the proposed legislation will help shield Kenya from being exploited as a conduit for illegal arms trafficking.
It is also intended to support global disarmament efforts under United Nations Security Council resolutions on export controls.
The Bill, which is currently before Parliament, is expected to undergo stakeholder consultations and public participation before being enacted into law.
This legislation represents the culmination of nearly a decade of sustained engagement by government agencies, partners, and stakeholders, who have sought to better manage and regulate strategic goods since 2015.
That year, the government resolved to adopt proactive measures to handle Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) materials.
CS Murkomen underscored the urgency of the Bill, noting that Kenya has suffered the consequences of unregulated materials in the past.
He cited the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and the 2012 fertilizer-based bombing on Moi Avenue, which killed 33 people and injured dozens more, as tragic reminders.
“The Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2025, establishes a comprehensive system to regulate the trade of strategic goods, including dual-use items, munitions, and materials that could be used in the development of weapons of mass destruction,” Murkomen said.
