Police raid Tuju’s Karen property in early-morning operation

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju said more than 50 police officers stormed his Dari Business Park property in Karen in a dramatic early-morning operation and forced him out of the premises.

Tuju said the officers, whom he believes belong to the Rapid Response Unit, arrived at the compound in at least seven vehicles, several of them unmarked.

According to him, some of the officers were in uniform while others had their faces covered with masks.

Speaking shortly after the incident, Tuju alleged that the officers refused to identify themselves or explain the reason for their presence at the property.

“They are here with about seven vehicles. Some are in uniform but others are masked,” Tuju said.

“Every time I try to take their pictures they hide their faces, and some have masks on.”

He further claimed that the officers told him they were acting on “orders from above,” but did not present any documentation authorizing their operation at the property.

According to Tuju, the officers allegedly forced their way into the compound and ordered all employees working at the restaurant within the property to leave immediately.

“They forced their way in and pushed all the employees out of the property,” he said. “Right now they have locked themselves inside the premises.”

Tuju insisted that the officers did not provide any court order or official papers to justify their actions.

“They say they are following orders from above but they have no court order, no documents, nothing,” he stated.

By the time he spoke, Tuju said more officers were still arriving at the scene, even as those who had entered the premises remained inside the compound.

The incident comes amid an ongoing dispute involving Tuju’s Karen properties linked to a multi-billion-shilling debt case that has been the subject of several court proceedings in recent months.

It is not clear what motivated the new development and the involvement of police who are said to have chased workers from the compound.

The saga is lying in court pending determination and has sucked many other parties including judges.