Mystery and Outrage as Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju and Driver Vanish in Karen
The Kenyan political and legal landscape has been thrown into a state of high tension following the mysterious disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party heavyweight, Raphael Tuju. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched an intensive search after Tuju and his personal driver were reported missing. They were last seen on Saturday evening in the upscale Karen neighborhood of Nairobi. In a chilling discovery that has fueled fears of a forced abduction, Tuju’s vehicle was found abandoned less than three kilometers from his Dari Business Park property, with the keys reportedly still in the ignition.
This disappearance is not an isolated event but the latest and most dangerous turn in a high-stakes, multi-billion shilling legal battle. For years, Tuju has been locked in a bitter dispute with the East African Development Bank (EADB) over a loan recovery process concerning the Dari property. The situation escalated dramatically on Friday when a group of armed individuals and auctioneers, allegedly acting on behalf of Stabex International—the company reported to have purchased the land—raided the premises. The raid, described by Tuju’s legal team as a “state-sponsored siege,” saw the forceful eviction of staff and the cordoning off of the multi-acre estate.
The timing of Tuju’s disappearance has sparked widespread speculation regarding political interference. Tuju’s family and lawyers have officially filed reports at the Karen Police Station, expressing grave concerns for his safety. They have pointed to the aggressive nature of the property raid and the alleged involvement of powerful figures within the current administration who have links to the acquiring company. Critics and opposition figures are now asking whether this is a legitimate exercise of debt recovery or a calculated move to neutralize a prominent political rival through intimidation.
As the search enters a critical 48-hour window, the silence from the Ministry of Interior and high-ranking government officials has only deepened the public’s unease. The Dari Business Park has long been a symbol of Tuju’s business success, but it has now become the epicenter of a case that intersects corporate law, high-level politics, and human rights concerns. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the Karen area and tracking mobile phone signals to piece together the final moments before the former CS and his driver vanished into the night.