Raphael Tuju Reveals He Went into Hiding Amid Abduction Fears in Kenya

Former Raphael Tuju went into hiding after suspecting he was being followed, sparking fears of abduction. He abandoned his car in Nairobi’s Karen suburb and later explained his caution was due to past abduction cases in Kenya. Tuju is involved in a legal dispute over Dari Limited properties, and opposition figures welcomed his return while calling for respect for the rule of law.

Former Raphael Tuju has provided details about his recent disappearance, explaining that he went into hiding after suspecting he was being followed, a development that had raised fears he might have been abducted. Speaking to Citizen TV on Monday, Tuju said he noticed an unmarked vehicle trailing him and took deliberate evasive actions, changing his route multiple times and ultimately abandoning his car to prevent being tracked. He described the experience as deeply distressing for his family, emphasizing that his decision not to immediately seek police assistance was influenced by prior cases of abductions in Kenya, which have heightened public concern about personal safety.
Tuju was last seen on Saturday while traveling to a scheduled radio interview. When he did not arrive and could not be reached, his family reported him missing, prompting widespread worry among relatives, friends, and the public. Authorities later located his car abandoned in Karen, an affluent suburb of Nairobi, with hazard lights activated, and noted that his phone had been switched off at the time. The incident triggered an official investigation, and police appealed for any information that could shed light on his whereabouts while speculation about possible abduction circulated widely in the media and on social networks.
The former cabinet minister is also currently engaged in a protracted legal battle over properties connected to his company, Dari Limited. Lenders are pursuing recovery of over $15 million in unpaid loans, a matter Tuju has contested in court, claiming that some of these actions against his business have been unfair or improperly handled. Additionally, he has alleged that security officers previously entered his property and took control of business premises, although the government has declined to comment publicly on these claims. These ongoing legal and security issues provide important context for the caution Tuju exercised in response to what he perceived as a potential threat.
Opposition leaders and political figures welcomed Tuju’s return and expressed relief at his safety, but they also used the occasion to reiterate concerns about the prevalence of alleged abductions and other security breaches in the country. They emphasized the need for strict adherence to the rule of law, protection of citizens’ rights, and accountability for any unlawful actions taken against individuals, particularly public figures and those involved in contentious legal disputes. The episode has sparked renewed discussion about personal security, the responsibilities of law enforcement, and the broader implications for political and business leaders navigating sensitive disputes in Kenya.