Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju accused the National Police Service of unlawfully occupying a private business complex in Karen, raising serious concerns about professionalism, accountability, and alleged ethnic divisions within the force.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Inspector General Douglas Kanja, Tuju claims that more than 100 police officers staged a late-night raid on Dari Business Park at around 2:40 a.m. on March 13, 2026, without a court order or any formal documentation.
According to Tuju, the officers—who arrived in multiple vehicles—have remained stationed at the premises for days, effectively locking out tenants and disrupting normal business operations.
He states that despite repeated inquiries, police on site have neither offered written nor verbal explanations for their continued presence, saying they are “waiting for instructions from above.”
Tuju alleged that some of the police vehicles involved in the operation had their number plates removed, while several officers wore balaclavas to conceal their identities.
He claims to possess video and photographic evidence to support these assertions, which he says he is ready to submit to authorities.
He describes the operation as an “arrogant display of impunity” and questions why a large contingent of armed officers would be deployed without clear legal backing.
In one of the more troubling aspects of his letter, Tuju points to what he terms as “ethnicization” within the police service.
He alleges that some officers appeared to coordinate with individuals linked to a private security firm and communicated in the Kalenjin language during the operation.
According to Tuju, this created visible tension among officers from different communities, with some allegedly expressing discomfort and describing the operation as being driven along ethnic lines.
He warned that such divisions within the police could pose a serious threat to national cohesion and security if left unaddressed.
Tuju further claims that some officers involved in the operation appeared to be under the influence of intoxicating substances, raising fears about the safety of both civilians and police personnel present during the standoff.
He recounts a tense situation on the first night of the raid, noting that the presence of armed officers, combined with internal discord, nearly escalated into a volatile confrontation. He says he attempted to defuse the situation by engaging some officers in conversation.
The prolonged police presence has reportedly had a significant economic impact on businesses operating within Dari Business Park. Tuju says at least 24 tenants have been affected, including the well-known Tamarind Restaurant.
Professionals such as lawyers, he adds, have been unable to access critical files, computers, and other equipment from their offices. Requests for supervised access to retrieve essential items have allegedly been denied or ignored by officers on site.
Tuju argues that innocent tenants are bearing the brunt of the standoff, suffering financial losses despite having no direct involvement in the underlying dispute.
In his appeal to IG Kanja, Tuju calls for immediate intervention to restore normalcy at the business park and to ensure that affected tenants can access their premises under police supervision.
He also urges the police leadership to launch an internal investigation into the operation, particularly the alleged lack of legal authorization, misconduct by officers, and claims of ethnic bias within the ranks.
While emphasizing his respect for the police service, Tuju warns that failure to uphold discipline and professionalism could erode public confidence and push the country toward instability.
“This is the only police force we have,” he states, stressing the need for accountability and reform.
By the time of publication, the National Police Service had not issued an official response to the allegations raised by Tuju.
The incident adds to growing public scrutiny over police operations in Kenya, particularly regarding adherence to the rule of law and the protection of private property rights.
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