NAIROBI, Kenya — The whereabouts of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju remain unknown after he was reported missing over the weekend, prompting an active investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Authorities confirmed that a missing person report was filed by Tuju’s family at Karen Police Station on Sunday, March 22, triggering a formal probe into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
According to investigators, Tuju went missing on Saturday alongside his driver while en route to a scheduled radio interview. His vehicle was later discovered abandoned along Miotoni Lane in the upscale Karen area of Nairobi, with its hazard lights still on.
“A security guard from a nearby institution alerted authorities, prompting a swift response by officers from Karen Police Station,” the DCI reports.
The discovery has intensified concerns over the unexplained disappearance, with detectives now piecing together events leading up to the incident.
The DCI confirmed that investigations are ongoing and has appealed for cooperation from all parties involved, including Tuju’s family.
“We urge full cooperation from all parties, including unrestricted access to relevant locations and prompt provision of information, for a swift and thorough resolution,” the agency said in a statement.
Investigators also revealed that officers were denied access to Tuju’s residence on Mwitu Drive during initial inquiries, a development they say could affect the speed of investigations.
Members of the public have been urged to share any information that could assist in locating Tuju or establishing the circumstances of his disappearance. Detectives are particularly interested in anyone who may have seen him, his vehicle, or suspicious activity around Miotoni Lane before or after March 21, 2026.
The disappearance comes amid an ongoing legal dispute involving Tuju over ownership of Dari Business Park in Karen.
The case centres on an alleged failure to repay a loan from the East African Development Bank, initially valued at approximately $9.2 million (about KSh1.2 billion) in 2015, with accrued interest bringing the total to around KSh1.9 billion.
The contested assets include Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary and properties linked to Tamarind Karen and Dari Business Park.
Just days before his disappearance, Tuju had written to Inspector General Douglas Kanja alleging unlawful police action at the business premises.
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In the letter dated March 19, he claimed that more than 100 police officers raided Dari Business Park in the early hours of March 13 without a court order and remained stationed at the site for several days.
The claims have not been independently verified, and authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations.
The case remains under active investigation, with authorities yet to establish whether foul play is involved.
Tuju, a prominent political figure and former government official, has been a key player in Kenya’s political landscape for decades, making his disappearance a matter of significant public concern.
