NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju was forcibly removed from his property in Karen on Saturday after armed police officers moved to secure the premises following a prolonged legal battle over an alleged loan default.
Security personnel cordoned off Dari Business Park, a commercial complex linked to Tuju, leaving the property locked and inaccessible. The move disrupted operations for an estimated 25 businesses operating within the compound, including Tuju’s office.
The eviction marks the latest development in a long-running dispute between Tuju and a financial institution over a loan reportedly used to develop the property.
The conflict centres on a debt dispute estimated at more than KSh1.9 billion, which the lender claims remained unpaid, prompting legal proceedings and eventual approval for the property’s auction.
Court documents indicate that the lender sought to recover the outstanding debt through the sale of the Karen-based commercial property after what it described as prolonged failure to settle the loan obligations.
The case has been in litigation for several years, drawing attention due to its high financial value and the political profile of the former Cabinet minister.
The latest eviction followed an earlier attempt by auctioneers earlier in the week to take possession of the premises.
On Wednesday, auctioneers accompanied by security officers and a group of individuals attempted to assume control of the property, triggering a standoff at the complex.
The situation escalated on Saturday when police moved in to enforce the court-backed process, sealing off the business park and preventing access to the compound.
The development comes shortly after Tuju wrote to Martha Koome, the Chief Justice of Judiciary of Kenya, raising concerns about the handling of the case.
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In the letter, the former Cabinet Secretary alleged that elements within the judiciary were involved in corruption related to the dispute, claims that have not been publicly substantiated.
The letter added a new dimension to the controversy surrounding the case, which has already involved multiple legal proceedings and appeals.
While the court ruling cleared the way for the auction of the property to recover the debt, judges granted Tuju an opportunity to pursue an appeal against the decision.
Legal experts note that such disputes often involve complex questions relating to loan agreements, property valuation, and enforcement of security rights by lenders.
For now, the Karen property remains under restricted access as the dispute continues to unfold, with the outcome of the expected appeal likely to determine the final fate of the multi-million-shilling business complex.
