Tuju says he was hiding in Kiambu
Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.[COURTESY]
Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju resurfaced on Monday, after he was reported missing on Saturday.
According to the family, Tuju went missing on Saturday, along with his driver cum aide, Steve Mwanga, as they were on their way to a radio interview. His vehicle was reportedly abandoned along Miotoni Lane in Karen.
At a public appearance at his home on Monday, the former CS said he went into hiding after realizing suspicious persons were following him on Saturday.
Tuju said he had informed police that he was being trailed by a land cruiser that did not have a number plate.
Tuju described how he managed to ‘escape’ the sight of alleged abductors.
“I branched into Nandi Road. They were not able to branch in … it meant that they had to turn or go round to follow me. That is how I lost them,” said Tuju.
He would later abandon his vehicle and go into hiding.
“I want to thank a family in Kiambu… the boundary between here and Kiambu. They were able to give me shelter until yesterday past midnight when I was able to come here,” he narrated.
At Tuju’s home, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka led a group of political leaders and raised concerns of an “abduction squad in town”, which was a reason to believe the ordeal.
After Tuju’s family reported his disappearance, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said it had begun investigations into the matter.
However, DCI expressed frustration with the investigations after being denied entry into the home of the former CS along Mwitu Drive.
“We urge full cooperation from all parties, including unrestricted access to relevant locations and prompt provision of information, for a swift and thorough resolution,” said DCI in a statement on Sunday evening.
The team camped outside the home overnight. They had moved to court seeking a warrant to search the home.
It was then that Tuju and his colleagues called a press conference. All along, the police were outside the compound.
And as he left for Karen police station to record his statement, police briefly blocked his gate. His lawyers said they were headed for the station.
And on arrival at the station, he was taken to custody for statement recording. Some of his colleagues were locked outside the station. Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru said police planned to charge him with giving false information.
The former minister is facing a court battle over the ownership of Dari Business Park in Karen.
The dispute involves an alleged failure to repay a Sh1.9 billion loan borrowed from the East African Development Bank (EADB) in 2015. The initial borrowed amount was USD 9,197,084 and the remainder accrued interest.
The properties include Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary of LR No.11320/3, Off Tree Lane, Karen, and Tamarind Karen and Dari Business Park, off Ngong, Karen of LR No. 1055/165.
On March 19, Tuju wrote to Inspector General Douglas Kanja protesting what he describes as an unlawful police occupation of Dari Business Park.
In a letter, Tuju claimed that more than 100 police officers raided the premises in the early hours of March 13 without a court order and have remained stationed there for nearly a week.