Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Gabriel Kagombe, has fervently proclaimed his innocence after being charged with the murder of a boda boda rider, Mr. Nduanti, in an incident that occurred on May 11 in Thika. The MP was released on cash bail on Friday, June 7, and has since publicly expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, emphasizing his trust in the judicial process to reveal the truth.
Addressing the public following his release, Kagombe acknowledged the tragic loss of life during the skirmishes but highlighted his inability to reach out to the family earlier due to his arrest. “I want to convey my condolences to the family of Mr. Nduanti. We know that there is a family that has lost a loved one, and I have not had an opportunity to send my condolences to that family,” he stated.
Kagombe extended his heartfelt sympathy to the family as they prepare to bury their loved one on Saturday, June 8. He reiterated his stance of innocence, pointing to external influences that may have led to his arrest and subsequent murder charge. “I have taken a plea of not guilty today, and this matter is perfectly before a court of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, I trust the judicial process is going to take place and everyone is going to get justice.”
The MP suggested that his arrest could be linked to attempts to disrupt the tea elections, implying that some parties might be misusing the judicial system for political gain. “The tea elections will not be derailed by people trying to misuse the judicial system by bringing a case so that I can be locked up. The farmers will get the justice they deserve,” he asserted.
Despite the serious allegations against him, Kagombe expressed confidence in the court’s ability to deliver a fair judgment. He conveyed his gratitude to his family and parliamentary colleagues for their unwavering support during his arrest and detention, noting their frequent visits while he was in police custody.
The arrest followed an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), with police claiming that Kagombe fired the fatal bullet that killed the boda boda rider during the May 11 skirmishes in Thika. Charged at the Machakos High Court, Kagombe was released on a Ksh1 million cash bail or a bond of Ksh2 million with one surety of a similar amount.
As the case proceeds, the public and involved parties await the court’s findings, hopeful that justice will prevail for all those affected by this tragic incident.
