Kenyan ex-foreign minister arrested and accused of staging his disappearance

Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju has been arrested a day after he was reported missing, sparking fears that he may have been abducted.

Mohamed Amin, Director of Criminal Investigations, stated in a press conference that Tuju had remained inside his residence the entire time. He described the situation as a “carefully staged disappearance rather than a genuine case of abduction.”

Just before his arrest, Tuju told local station Citizen TV that he had gone into hiding after noticing he was being followed by an unmarked vehicle.

The former minister has been involved in a long-running legal dispute over the auction and takeover of his properties in Nairobi, related to an unsettled bank loan.

Amin said: “The deliberate conduct by Raphael Tuju appears to be a calculated effort to deceive the public to generate unwarranted sympathy and to undermine the integrity of the National Police Service.”

He added that the police consider “the provision of false information to authorities as a very, very serious offence.”

Tuju told Citizen TV that upon realizing he was being tailed, he diverted onto a road where it would be more difficult to follow him. After shaking off the vehicle, he abandoned his car, which he knew authorities would be looking for.

He said: “My family is very traumatised… and I consider myself blessed because there are many Kenyans in unmarked graves,” adding thanks to Kenyans and opposition politicians who had supported him during the episode.

Tuju referenced other Kenyans who have been abducted or killed in the past, explaining that this is why he chose not to seek police assistance initially and instead went into hiding.

Earlier, police had confirmed they were investigating his reported disappearance and appealed to the public for any information.

His family had said that the former minister and his driver went missing while en route to an evening radio interview on Saturday.

Police reported that his vehicle was found abandoned with its hazard lights on along a road in Karen, an upmarket suburb of Nairobi. They were unable to reach Tuju as his phone was switched off.

The former minister, who has held several government positions, recently alleged that dozens of police officers had raided his property in Karen, removed his staff and security personnel, and taken control of the business premises.

He claimed that powerful officials were attempting to seize his property, though the government has not commented on the allegations.

The court dispute involves lenders seeking to recover debts exceeding $15 million (£11 million) tied to properties owned by Tuju’s company, Dari Limited. He has filed multiple unsuccessful legal challenges to prevent the auction, and recently obtained orders barring the transfer of the property until his latest application is heard.

Tuju’s disappearance prompted allegations from prominent opposition figures that he may have been abducted.

James Orengo alleged that Tuju had been “kidnapped,” saying, “Let’s pray for Tuju because he has gone through a lot.”

Lawmaker Otiende Amollo said authorities were being pressed for answers.

“We are urging the police to do all that is within their power to trace and protect him. We abhor the possibility that there are people who can abduct someone of [his] stature,” he said.