Raphael Tuju Detained Shortly After Reappearing From Hiding
Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has reportedly been taken into police custody just moments after he resurfaced following a period of hiding that lasted more than a day.
The unexpected turn of events has sparked fresh debate and concern, especially given the dramatic circumstances surrounding his reappearance.
According to his lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, Tuju was arrested immediately after addressing the media in a press conference where he attempted to explain his sudden disappearance over the past 36 hours.
Njiru stated that police officers quickly moved in, bundled Tuju into a waiting vehicle, and drove him away despite concerns about his physical condition.
The lawyer further revealed that Tuju did not appear to be in good health at the time of his arrest. He described him as weak and visibly distressed, raising serious concerns about whether he was fit to undergo police questioning.
Despite these concerns, authorities reportedly insisted that he be taken to the station to record a statement as part of ongoing investigations.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also spoke out about the incident, strongly criticising the actions taken by security officers.
Through a statement shared on social media, Kalonzo claimed that police officers, including members of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), had earlier surrounded Tuju’s residence in Karen and blocked anyone from leaving the compound until they gained access to him.
Kalonzo explained that in an effort to cooperate with authorities and ensure due process was followed, he personally escorted Tuju to Karen Police Station so that he could record his statement peacefully.
However, what happened next, according to him, was deeply troubling. He alleged that Tuju was handled in a forceful and degrading manner, saying no Kenyan should be treated that way under any circumstances.
By the afternoon of Monday, March 23, tension had escalated outside Karen Police Station. Tuju’s legal team raised alarm over what they described as suspicious and aggressive conduct by officers.
Njiru was heard accusing authorities of attempting to “abduct” Tuju, urging those present to take note of the vehicle used to transport him.
Videos that quickly circulated online showed Tuju appearing visibly shaken and uncomfortable while at the station. His condition appeared to worsen, prompting medical personnel to be called in.
Doctors were later deployed to Karen Police Station to attend to him as concerns about his health continued to grow. Despite this, police maintained that Tuju would remain in custody as investigations progressed.
DCI Responds to the Ongoing Controversy
Amid the growing public attention and criticism, DCI Director Amin Mohamed addressed the situation through a press briefing, offering the authorities’ version of events.
In his statement, Amin placed blame on Tuju’s family, accusing them of deliberately frustrating police efforts to access the former CS.
He claimed that officers were initially denied entry to Tuju’s Karen residence, which forced authorities to escalate the matter and deploy additional personnel to secure the area.
According to Amin, a coordinated operation involving uniformed officers was launched late at night to ensure that the situation was brought under control.
He insisted that the move was necessary due to the lack of cooperation from those inside the residence.
In a surprising revelation, the DCI boss stated that investigations had established that Tuju had never actually left his home during the period he was said to be missing.
This directly contradicts the earlier narrative suggesting that he had been in hiding elsewhere. Amin claimed that even when Tuju’s phone was switched off, he remained inside his residence the entire time.
The DCI further indicated that the findings could have serious legal consequences for Tuju. Authorities are now considering possible charges linked to what they suspect may have been a staged abduction or an attempt to mislead investigators.
As the situation continues to unfold, the case has attracted widespread public attention, with many Kenyans closely following developments and raising questions about due process, human rights, and the conduct of law enforcement agencies.
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