Drama in Karen: Raphael Tuju's 'Disappearance' Ends in Arrest, Conflicting Claims Emerge

The mysterious disappearance and dramatic arrest of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has sparked national debate, with authorities and his legal team offering sharply conflicting accounts of what really happened.

The Disappearance

The saga began on March 20, when Tuju reported at Karen Police Station that he was being trailed by an unmarked white Toyota Land Cruiser. A day later, concern grew after he failed to show up for a scheduled radio interview, prompting his family to report him missing alongside his driver.

On Sunday morning, his vehicle was discovered abandoned along Miotoni Lane in Karen, hazard lights still blinking—fueling fears of a possible abduction.

Reappearance and Swift Arrest

Tuju resurfaced on Monday, claiming he had gone into hiding after spotting the same suspicious vehicle following him. He said he feared for his life and sought refuge at a private residence in Kiambu.

However, shortly after addressing the media at his Karen home, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), led by Director Mohamed Amin, moved in and arrested him.

Authorities dismissed Tuju's account, terming the incident a "staged abduction." According to investigators, preliminary forensic findings suggested he had not left his residence during the period he was reported missing.

Chaos and Medical Emergency

The arrest quickly turned chaotic. Tuju's lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, accused police of using excessive force, alleging that officers aggravated a pre-existing spinal injury Tuju sustained in a past accident.

"This is not justice; this is persecution. My client is in severe pain and requires immediate medical attention, not handcuffs."

Scenes at Karen Police Station were tense, with videos showing Tuju in visible pain. Lawyers and medical personnel clashed with officers, demanding urgent treatment. An ambulance was eventually called to transfer him to hospital.

The Bigger Legal Battle

The unfolding drama comes against the backdrop of a long-standing legal dispute over Tuju's Dari Business Park, tied to a Ksh 1.9 billion loan case. Just days before his disappearance, Tuju had accused police of unlawfully occupying the property without a court order—raising questions about whether the two issues are connected.

As investigations continue, the case remains clouded in uncertainty, with Kenyans left to weigh two competing narratives: a man fearing for his life, or a calculated attempt to mislead authorities.