NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Kenyan Foreign Affairs Minister Raphael Tuju has resurfaced after a day of uncertainty surrounding his reported disappearance, saying he deliberately went into hiding after being followed by an unmarked vehicle.
Speaking to local publication Vivid Voice News on Monday afternoon, Tuju said he took evasive action after realising he was being trailed, eventually abandoning his vehicle to avoid detection.
“My family is very traumatised… and I consider myself blessed because there are many Kenyans in unmarked graves,” he said.
He explained that he diverted onto a road where it would be difficult for the pursuing vehicle to follow, before leaving his car behind to mislead those tracking him.
Tuju’s disappearance had triggered widespread concern, with his family reporting that he had gone missing on Saturday while en route to a scheduled radio interview.
His mobile phone was switched off, and his vehicle was later found abandoned with hazard lights on in the Karen suburb of Nairobi.
Authorities had launched investigations and appealed to the public for information regarding his whereabouts.
Political reaction and public concern
The incident quickly drew political attention, with opposition leaders raising fears of a possible abduction.
Kalonzo Musyoka welcomed news of Tuju’s reappearance but warned of a broader pattern of insecurity.
“We thank God that our brother is alive and well,” he said.
“The truth of the matter is that there is an abduction squad in town.”
“Let everybody calm down and adhere to the principles of constitutionalism and the rule of rule,” he added.
Tuju himself referenced previous cases of enforced disappearances in Kenya, suggesting this influenced his decision not to seek help from law enforcement agencies.
Ongoing legal disputes
Beyond the disappearance, Tuju remains entangled in a long-running legal battle over properties linked to his company, Dari Limited.
The dispute involves lenders seeking to recover debts exceeding $15 million tied to assets in Nairobi. Courts have previously rejected several of his attempts to halt the auction process, although recent orders have temporarily blocked the transfer of the properties pending further hearings.
Tuju has also alleged that security officers previously raided his business premises in Karen, forcibly removing staff and taking control of the property, claims the government has not publicly addressed.
His lawyer, Paul Nyamodi, had earlier indicated that Tuju reported being followed by an unmarked vehicle shortly before his disappearance.
Tuju’s case comes amid growing public debate in Kenya over alleged enforced disappearances and the use of unmarked vehicles in security operations.
Rights groups have repeatedly called for accountability and transparency, warning that such incidents risk eroding public trust in state institutions.
While Tuju is now safe, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, and the broader allegations he has raised, are likely to remain under scrutiny in the coming days.
Be the first to comment