NAIROBI, Kenya — Polo Kimani, a prominent Kenyan blogger and social media influencer, has accused Mombasa-based billionaire Imran Khosla of orchestrating an attempt on his life in a chilling encounter in Nairobi’s Karen suburb on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
Kimani, known for his exposés on powerful figures, alleges the incident was a retaliation for his whistleblowing activities, including threads linking Khosla to money laundering and drug trafficking. The claims, detailed in a gripping narration on X, have sparked outrage and raised questions about the safety of activists in Kenya, though no official confirmation of Khosla’s involvement has emerged.
A Trap in Karen
Kimani’s account begins with a phone call last Tuesday from a man identified via Truecaller as “Daniel Kaliku OCS Kitui,” who posed as a fan of his work on X and offered a job to install electric fencing on a one-acre plot in Karen. Kimani, whose company provides such services, agreed to conduct a site evaluation after receiving a surveillance fee. The meeting, initially set for Friday, was rescheduled to Saturday at 11 a.m.
Upon arriving near Frenzy Lounge along Lang’ata Road, Kimani sensed something amiss. The supposed client, “Daniel,” arrived but offered vague answers about the plot’s nonexistent wall. Moments later, a Toyota Vitz pulled up, and a light-skinned man emerged, shouting, “Polo Kimaniiii!” Kimani claims he recognized the man as Imran Khosla, the billionaire he had previously accused of illicit dealings. “Si tumekupata sasa?” (Haven’t we caught you now?), Khosla allegedly said, smiling.
The situation escalated when an armed police officer, wielding an AK47, emerged from the vehicle. Kimani’s phones—a 15 Pro Max and a Redmi A1—were confiscated, and he was ordered into the car. Convinced this was his “last day,” Kimani made a split-second decision to flee as he approached the vehicle door. He bolted toward the gate, scaled its rusted razor wire, and threw himself to the other side, sustaining severe cuts to his hands and legs. As he ran, he claims the officer aimed the rifle at him but did not fire—whether due to a jammed gun or an empty magazine, Kimani isn’t sure.
Bleeding and desperate, Kimani crossed Lang’ata Road, eventually finding a boda boda rider who helped him escape after several millennials refused to assist. “I cheated death,” he wrote on X, sharing his story with a mix of defiance and exhaustion.
Tuesday Last week a man who True caller identified as ‘ Daniel Kaliku OCS kitui’ calls me,says habari kimani mimi nakufuata sana pale mtandao wa X and im a big fan of your work. He tells me he has a 1acre plot in karen he would like fenced he saw my company does electric fencing. I tell him yes,we do that. He sends photos,but i realize t not very clear so this would require me to get to site and do evaluation myself as he himself didnt know the correct measurements of the land.
This is work i do for myself,I go do a site survillience before I despatch my technicians after quotation has been accepted.
He agrees we meet on friday and sends my fee for my survellience fee,which would also cover my fuel.On thursday he calls and says hes busy so we can raincheck and push it to saturday. I said Sure
Saturday,Yesterday 8March,at 11am he sends a pin location. I take a cab all the way to karen,just few meters away from where Frenzy lounge along lang’ata road is located. Si nikafika,i took a cab, the guy had came then left. So I called him he told me hes on his way i give him 5 minutes. Soldier akaambiwa afungue gate
So I was in there alone,then i wondered where the hell is the wall im supposed to put my electric fence on. The daniel guy arrived,we conversed and I asked him wheres the wall. Said its not yet up,ndio wanataka kujenga so wanataka tu quotation alafu wakipandisha wataniita. He excused himself again to make a phonecall,then returned. While now talking,another kasmall car,Looked like a Toyota Vitz came in the gate and parked right infront of the house.Nobody came out
This nugu called Daniel now suggested we go to the otherside of the plot,but to get there we had to pass infront of the house where the vitz was. Kufika hapo nikashangaa mbona jamaa amesimama,he sheepishly smiling drinking a Mango smoothie.
Then some lightskin guy,came out of the Vitz,shouted Polo kimaniiii,also smiling. The face looked familiar but i couldnt tell who it was clearly,honestly i thought it was a follower of mine who enjoys my threads. Came towards me just smiling and greeted me. Then said, ” si tumekupata sasa…?
Ndio nikagundua this is not just some follower,this is Imran khosla,Mwenyewe. The guy I whistleblowed about and his dealings,I remained very calm. I look at Daniel Kaliku “My client” hes still there smiling sheepishly,i realized it was a set up. Its then I remembered i ignored there was an OCS somewhere in his name pale truecaller
At this point I dont try to scream or run,infact im very calm. Because deep down I know,if this billionare guy has come himself for me,theres no way im coming out here alive. I thought they’d kill me there in the house,a cop Came out of the back of the vitz with an AK47.
I try to open my phone to make an emergency alarm,but he tells the cop ebu chukua hizo simu zake,took the 15pro max and the Redmi A1,then said shika huyu. The AP cop grabbed my trouser by the back,i was very cooperative. I could hear the grip wasnt as tight juu sikua na sign ya resistance,also in the other hand he had his Ak47 which is about 7.5 kgs,Wakasema niingie kwa gari,not at the boot but at the back seat,next to the cop i assume.
Deep down I knew,hii gari nikiingia this my last day. It was evident. So as I was about to open the door,I lifted my left foot then whisked off. I swear i was just trying,sikudhani mkono ya uyu AP ingelegea aniwachilie,Sasa ni mbio nikielekea kwa gate.
Im running as I look at the gate it has razor wires ontop like the ones I install,and very rusted. I’m still running. Many gates on the inside have steelbars that are used as frames. So nikakimbia nikakanyanga hiyo chuma nikarukia hiyo razor wire juu.
I knew it would slice me ama nikwame hapo juu but I must try, so I jump ontop of it and throw myself outside…
Hawa jamaa wako nyuma kina imran,the driver,and that kaliku who set me up after kuona nafanikiwa kuhepa they start shouting Mwizi shika uyo. The AP cop had tried to follow me but he didnt catch up,On top of that razor wire gate as I try to kujikwamua niruke nje,I look back and this cop is pointing his AK at me.
The others at the back are shouting Mwizi, I dont know why he didnt shoot. Its either his gun jammed,Or mGazine was empty or I dont know. I managed to jump out,and run like a stray dog bleeding everywhere,my hands torn my legs torn,I ran across lang’ata road. Tried to ask some millenials to call me an uber they refused,its only one boda guy who came and accepted to commute me. That is how I cheated death.
To some of you this might sound like drama or one of my jaba stories,but mimi nimeponea kifo walahi.
But i can only do it enough times,Juzi tu niliruka gari ya polisi pale kimathi street,i know a cat has nine lives. Its very unfortunate that some people can just decide to take your life just like that simply because they’re tied to the presidency. Liberating this country has been a task,still is a task,and our lives us the young fearless defenceless youths have become the price to pay for this success. Got myzelf a phone so sitaki mchango.
But still,I have started considering my decisions,Tutawahi penya kweli?
Corroboration and Context
Kimani’s allegations align with a report from The Kenya Times on March 9, 2025, which detailed his escape from an attempted abduction after being lured to Karen for a supposed CCTV job. The article noted the involvement of a “prominent Mombasa businessman” and confirmed Kimani lost his phones and ID, requiring minor surgery for his injuries. While the businessman’s identity wasn’t specified, Khosla’s profile as a high-profile Mombasa tycoon matches the description.
Kimani’s X thread from February 24, 2025, provides background, alleging Khosla’s ties to drug trafficking through Ali Punjani, a known suspect in such activities, and money laundering schemes. He claims these exposés, which he reposted after previous deletions due to threats, provoked the attack. “Liberating this country has been a task,” Kimani wrote, “and our lives as the young, fearless, defenseless youths have become the price to pay.”
Who is Imran Khosla?
Imran Khosla, a 58-year-old businessman based in Mombasa, is a familiar name in Kenya’s elite circles. Known for his ventures in the ICT sector, he gained public attention in December 2024 when his son’s lavish wedding, attended by President William Ruto and featuring performances by Diamond Platnumz, showcased his wealth with Ferraris and Bentleys lining the venue. Yet, beneath the glitz, Khosla has faced persistent allegations of shady dealings.
Kimani’s claims echo unverified social media accusations linking Khosla to Ali Punjani, a tycoon suspected of replacing the Akasha brothers in Kenya’s drug trade. Court records reveal a property dispute between Khosla and Punjani’s relatives, suggesting a connection, though no official evidence ties Khosla directly to criminal activity. In January 2024, three individuals were charged with publishing false information about Khosla, indicating his efforts to combat such narratives legally.
A Pattern of Threats
Kimani is no stranger to danger. In July 2024, he was arrested during anti-government protests, underscoring his role as a vocal critic. His latest ordeal reflects a broader trend of threats against activists in Kenya. The Kenya Times recently reported the case of Wajir MCA Yussuf Ahmed, found alive after six months missing, highlighting a surge in abductions targeting outspoken figures.
Unanswered Questions
As of now, no police statement has confirmed Khosla’s involvement or the identity of “Daniel Kaliku OCS Kitui.” The use of “OCS” (Officer Commanding Station) in the Truecaller ID raises questions about official complicity, though Kimani suggests it was part of the ruse. Khosla has not publicly responded to the allegations, and attempts to reach his representatives for comment were unsuccessful by press time.
Kimani, meanwhile, remains defiant. After acquiring a new phone, he rejected calls for donations but hinted at reconsidering his approach. “Tutawahi penya kweli?” he asked—Will we ever penetrate this system?—a question that resonates with many Kenyans frustrated by impunity.
This incident, if substantiated, could intensify scrutiny on Khosla and his alleged ties to power. It also underscores the perilous landscape for whistleblowers in Kenya, where exposing corruption often comes at a steep personal cost. As Kimani recovers from his injuries, his story serves as both a rallying cry and a stark warning: the fight for accountability remains a dangerous endeavor.
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