NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has been reported missing under circumstances that authorities are treating as a suspected abduction, raising fresh concerns over security in Nairobi.
A missing person report was filed by his family at Karen Police Station on Sunday, after efforts to reach him proved unsuccessful.
According to family members, Tuju was last seen on Saturday afternoon. His mobile phones were switched off later that night, an unusual occurrence, his son and lawyer said. He had been scheduled to appear on an evening radio programme but failed to attend.
His vehicle was later discovered abandoned along Miotoni Lane in Karen, prompting police to notify the family.
“We don’t know why and how but his car was found abandoned on the roadside,” a family member said.
Police assisted in moving the vehicle to the station as investigations began.
In a development that has intensified concerns, Tuju had reportedly filed a police report on Saturday, indicating that he was being followed by a white Land Cruiser 70-series vehicle without number plates.
Authorities have confirmed that both the alleged surveillance and his subsequent disappearance are under active investigation.
Tuju’s disappearance comes amid a broader dispute involving a financial institution and a businessman over property located in Karen. It remains unclear whether the dispute is connected to the current incident.
Last week, Tuju publicly accused the National Police Service of unlawfully occupying a private business complex in the area, raising concerns about accountability and professionalism within the security apparatus.
In a letter addressed to Inspector General Douglas Kanja, Tuju alleged that more than 100 police officers carried out a late-night operation at Dari Business Park on March 13 without a court order or formal documentation.
Also Read: Armed police evict Raphael Tuju from Karen property as KSh1.9B debt dispute escalates
He claimed the officers, who reportedly arrived in multiple vehicles, remained stationed at the premises for several days, preventing tenants from accessing their businesses and disrupting operations.
Tuju further alleged that some vehicles involved in the operation had no number plates and that several officers wore balaclavas to conceal their identities. He said he had gathered video and photographic evidence to support these claims.
Describing the incident as an “arrogant display of impunity,” he questioned the legality of deploying a large contingent of armed officers without clear justification.
Police have said investigations are ongoing, though no official motive has yet been established. The case has drawn public attention, with growing calls for a swift and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Tuju’s disappearance.
