The unfolding case of Raphael Tuju has gripped national attention, evolving from a high-stakes financial dispute into a mystery marked by allegations of intimidation and a suspected abduction. The origins of the saga trace back to 2015, when Tuju, through his company, secured a loan of about KSh 1.2 billion from the East African Development Bank, using prime Karen properties as collateral. After defaulting in 2016, the debt ballooned to nearly KSh 1.9 billion, setting off a protracted legal battle. As one report noted, the bank maintained that the borrower had “failed to honour repayment obligations despite multiple court rulings,” underscoring the financial strain at the center of the dispute.
Auction and Legal Wars Escalate
By 2024, the lender moved to auction the properties, triggering intense court battles and disputes over ownership. New buyers claimed lawful acquisition, while Tuju challenged the process, insisting it was irregular. The standoff soon escalated beyond the courtroom, with eviction attempts heightening tensions. According to court filings and reports, the contested land became the focal point of a “bitter dispute over ownership and control of prime Karen property,” reflecting the high stakes involved.
Allegations of Harassment Emerge
Allegations of Harassment Emerge
In the weeks leading up to his disappearance, Tuju made a series of alarming claims that shifted the narrative. He alleged that security officers had forcefully taken over his premises, stating in correspondence to authorities that “over 100 armed officers raided the property at night and have remained there.” He further claimed some of those involved were “masked and using unmarked vehicles,” raising questions about the legality and transparency of the operation. In separate remarks, he warned that he was being followed, describing the situation as “intimidation linked to my ongoing property dispute.”
Sudden Disappearance Raises Alarm
On March 22, 2026, the situation took a dramatic turn when Tuju disappeared after leaving his Karen home for a scheduled engagement. His vehicle was later found abandoned, his phone switched off, and his driver also missing. Family members, confirming the incident, told the media that “we have not been able to reach him since Saturday evening,” while his legal team described the circumstances as “highly suspicious and deeply concerning.” .
DCI says family denied detectives access to Raphael Tuju’s residence as investigations into his disappearance intensify after his car was found in Karen. Family members denied detectives investigating the disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju access to his residence, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Suunday night, as efforts to trace his whereabouts continue.
In a statement, the DCI said Tuju was reported missing by his family on Sunday at Karen Police Station after his vehicle was discovered abandoned in Nairobi’s Karen suburb. Police said the car was found along Miotoni Lane with its hazard lights on after a security guard from a nearby institution alerted authorities. Officers from Karen Police Station responded to the scene, and crime scene investigators later processed the area before towing the vehicle to the station for forensic examination.
However, the DCI said investigators attempting to access Tuju’s residence along Mwitu Drive were denied entry by family members. “While progress is being made, the DCI notes that an attempt by investigators to access Mr Tuju’s residence along Mwitu Drive was denied by the family,” the agency said.
“We urge full cooperation from all parties, including unrestricted access to relevant locations and prompt provision of information, for a swift and thorough resolution.”The DCI added that a specialised investigative team has been deployed and is working with other government agencies to trace Tuju.
Appeal for Information
DCI says family denied detectives access to Raphael Tuju’s residence as investigations into his disappearance intensify after his car was found in Karen. Family members denied detectives investigating the disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju access to his residence, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Suunday night, as efforts to trace his whereabouts continue.
In a statement, the DCI said Tuju was reported missing by his family on Sunday at Karen Police Station after his vehicle was discovered abandoned in Nairobi’s Karen suburb. Police said the car was found along Miotoni Lane with its hazard lights on after a security guard from a nearby institution alerted authorities. Officers from Karen Police Station responded to the scene, and crime scene investigators later processed the area before towing the vehicle to the station for forensic examination.
However, the DCI said investigators attempting to access Tuju’s residence along Mwitu Drive were denied entry by family members. “While progress is being made, the DCI notes that an attempt by investigators to access Mr Tuju’s residence along Mwitu Drive was denied by the family,” the agency said.
“We urge full cooperation from all parties, including unrestricted access to relevant locations and prompt provision of information, for a swift and thorough resolution.”The DCI added that a specialised investigative team has been deployed and is working with other government agencies to trace Tuju.
Appeal for Information
Authorities have called on members of the public to share any information that could assist in locating Raphael Tuju, particularly anyone who may have observed unusual activity around Miotoni Lane in Karen before, during, or after March 21.
Earlier on Sunday, James Orengo, the Governor of Siaya, confirmed that Tuju was unaccounted for under unclear circumstances following the recovery of his abandoned vehicle in Karen. Speaking at a church service in Narok, Orengo indicated that the former minister could have been abducted and urged the public to keep him in their prayers. Lawyer and MP Otiende Amollo also stated that Tuju’s legal team was actively trying to trace his whereabouts while seeking clarification from security agencies.
Tuju’s disappearance occurs against the backdrop of a prolonged legal battle over the ownership and proposed auction of Dari Business Park in Karen. On March 18, the Commercial Court declined to issue interim orders that Tuju had sought to halt the sale of the property and associated assets. In his ruling, Justice Moses Ado stated that the request could not be determined without hearing all parties involved and directed that the case be prioritised for hearing.
The dispute involves lenders attempting to recover debts exceeding $15 million tied to properties owned by Dari Limited, a company linked to Tuju. Authorities have yet to respond to his earlier assertions that influential individuals within government were exerting pressure on him to vacate the Karen property after he declined a purchase offer.
A National Mystery with Deeper Questions
What began as a commercial loan dispute has now transformed into a national concern, raising broader questions about power, security, and the rule of law. While Raphael Tuju has previously been linked to controversies involving debt disputes, land battles, and political fallout, the current developments mark a significant escalation. As one observer noted, the case is “no longer just about money or land, but about personal safety and accountability.” With Tuju still missing and investigations ongoing, the country is left confronting an unsettling question: whether this is the culmination of a financial conflict or a sign of deeper, unresolved tensions beneath the surface.
A National Mystery with Deeper Questions
What began as a commercial loan dispute has now transformed into a national concern, raising broader questions about power, security, and the rule of law. While Raphael Tuju has previously been linked to controversies involving debt disputes, land battles, and political fallout, the current developments mark a significant escalation. As one observer noted, the case is “no longer just about money or land, but about personal safety and accountability.” With Tuju still missing and investigations ongoing, the country is left confronting an unsettling question: whether this is the culmination of a financial conflict or a sign of deeper, unresolved tensions beneath the surface.
