The disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has sparked national concern after his vehicle was found abandoned under suspicious circumstances in Nairobi’s Karen suburb.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Tuju was officially reported missing by his family on Sunday at Karen Police Station. His car was later discovered along Miotoni Lane with its hazard lights still on, an unusual detail that immediately raised alarm.
A security guard from a nearby institution is said to have alerted authorities, prompting officers from Karen Police Station to respond swiftly. Crime scene investigators later processed the area, and the vehicle was towed for forensic examination as detectives began piecing together the sequence of events.
In a statement, the DCI confirmed that a specialised investigative team has been deployed, working alongside other government agencies to establish Tuju’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
“Efforts to reach Hon. Tuju have so far been unsuccessful, as his mobile phone remains switched off,” the agency stated, adding that investigators are utilising all available resources and techniques.
However, the probe has encountered early challenges. Detectives were reportedly denied access to Tuju’s residence along Mwitu Drive by family members, prompting the DCI to urge full cooperation to allow unrestricted access to key locations and information that could aid the investigation.
Authorities have also appealed to the public for any information that could help trace Tuju, particularly from individuals who may have witnessed suspicious activity around Miotoni Lane before, during, or after March 21.
The case has drawn sharp political attention, with Siaya Governor James Orengo suggesting that Tuju may have been abducted. Speaking during a church service in Narok, Orengo urged Kenyans to pray for him.
“I want to inform you that our brother Tuju has been kidnapped. His vehicle was abandoned somewhere, and the car keys left there. Let us pray for him because he has gone through a lot,” he said.
Lawyer and legislator Otiende Amollo also confirmed that Tuju’s legal team is actively working to establish his whereabouts while pushing for answers from authorities.
Tuju’s disappearance comes against the backdrop of a high-stakes legal battle over the ownership and planned auction of Dari Business Park in Karen. Just days before he went missing, the Commercial Court declined to issue temporary orders blocking the auction, instead directing that the matter be heard on a priority basis.
Justice Moses Ado ruled that the application could not proceed without hearing all parties, setting April 7 as the hearing date.
The dispute involves lenders seeking to recover debts exceeding $15 million tied to properties owned by Tuju’s company, Dari Limited.
Notably, Tuju had previously alleged that powerful individuals were pressuring him to vacate the Karen property after he declined an offer to sell — claims that authorities have yet to comment on.
As investigations intensify, the case continues to raise serious questions, blending elements of mystery, politics, and high-value commercial interests.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Tuju was officially reported missing by his family on Sunday at Karen Police Station. His car was later discovered along Miotoni Lane with its hazard lights still on, an unusual detail that immediately raised alarm.
A security guard from a nearby institution is said to have alerted authorities, prompting officers from Karen Police Station to respond swiftly. Crime scene investigators later processed the area, and the vehicle was towed for forensic examination as detectives began piecing together the sequence of events.
In a statement, the DCI confirmed that a specialised investigative team has been deployed, working alongside other government agencies to establish Tuju’s whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
“Efforts to reach Hon. Tuju have so far been unsuccessful, as his mobile phone remains switched off,” the agency stated, adding that investigators are utilising all available resources and techniques.
However, the probe has encountered early challenges. Detectives were reportedly denied access to Tuju’s residence along Mwitu Drive by family members, prompting the DCI to urge full cooperation to allow unrestricted access to key locations and information that could aid the investigation.
Authorities have also appealed to the public for any information that could help trace Tuju, particularly from individuals who may have witnessed suspicious activity around Miotoni Lane before, during, or after March 21.
The case has drawn sharp political attention, with Siaya Governor James Orengo suggesting that Tuju may have been abducted. Speaking during a church service in Narok, Orengo urged Kenyans to pray for him.
“I want to inform you that our brother Tuju has been kidnapped. His vehicle was abandoned somewhere, and the car keys left there. Let us pray for him because he has gone through a lot,” he said.
Lawyer and legislator Otiende Amollo also confirmed that Tuju’s legal team is actively working to establish his whereabouts while pushing for answers from authorities.
Tuju’s disappearance comes against the backdrop of a high-stakes legal battle over the ownership and planned auction of Dari Business Park in Karen. Just days before he went missing, the Commercial Court declined to issue temporary orders blocking the auction, instead directing that the matter be heard on a priority basis.
Justice Moses Ado ruled that the application could not proceed without hearing all parties, setting April 7 as the hearing date.
The dispute involves lenders seeking to recover debts exceeding $15 million tied to properties owned by Tuju’s company, Dari Limited.
Notably, Tuju had previously alleged that powerful individuals were pressuring him to vacate the Karen property after he declined an offer to sell — claims that authorities have yet to comment on.
As investigations intensify, the case continues to raise serious questions, blending elements of mystery, politics, and high-value commercial interests.