Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju has been arrested a day after he was reported missing, with authorities accusing him of orchestrating a fake disappearance.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, through its head Mohamed Amin, said Tuju had remained inside his residence throughout, describing the incident as a “carefully staged disappearance rather than a genuine case of abduction.”
Amin said the former minister’s actions appeared to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, generate sympathy, and undermine confidence in the National Police Service.
He added that providing false information to authorities was a serious offence under the law.
Shortly before his arrest, Tuju told Citizen TV that he had gone into hiding after being followed by an unmarked vehicle, claiming he diverted onto another road to evade surveillance before abandoning his car.
He said his decision to avoid contacting the police was influenced by past incidents involving abductions and killings in Kenya, adding that his family had been traumatised by the situation.
“My family is very traumatised, and I consider myself blessed because there are many Kenyans in unmarked graves,” he said, thanking supporters, including opposition figures, who had expressed concern over his safety.
Earlier, police had launched a search operation after his family reported that he and his driver went missing while heading to a scheduled radio interview.
Authorities said his vehicle was later found abandoned with hazard lights on in Karen, an affluent suburb of Nairobi, while his phone was switched off.
Tuju, who has held multiple government roles, is currently involved in a protracted legal dispute over the auction of properties linked to his company, Dari Limited, following an alleged unpaid bank loan exceeding $15 million.
He has accused powerful individuals of attempting to seize his assets, including claims that police officers previously raided his property, evicted staff, and took control of the premises. The government has not publicly responded to those allegations.
The reported disappearance had triggered reactions from opposition figures, including James Orengo, who initially alleged Tuju had been kidnapped and called for prayers.
Lawmaker Otiende Amollo also urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure his safety, warning against the possibility of high-profile abductions.
However, police now maintain that the incident was fabricated, shifting the narrative from a suspected abduction to a criminal investigation into alleged deception.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
