Drama at Karen police as Tuju faces medical emergency after arrest, lawyers clash with cops

Doctors attending to Raphael Tuju at Karen Hospital./SCREENGRAB

Chaos erupted at Karen Police Station on Monday, where former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju was taken after he was arrested over an alleged abduction incident on Sunday.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohamed said the move followed findings that the information surrounding Tuju’s alleged abduction was false and had serious security implications.

“We acted after establishing that the claims of Tuju’s disappearance were not genuine. The provision of false information is a serious offence and poses a risk to national security,” Amin said.

Detectives say findings from the operation pointed to inconsistencies in the disappearance claims.

“Based on solid evidence, we have conclusively established that Tuju was physically present throughout the period in question, including on March 1 at his Karen residence,” he said.

Doctors, lawyers, and police at the Karen police station were involved in a tense standoff over his medical care.

As a police officer questioned why Tuju was being attended to at the police station, a doctor said the former CS needed special care since he had undergone spinal surgery in 2020, and moving him without proper assessment could worsen his condition.

According to Tuju’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, the former CS was suffering serious injuries, including a spinal problem and complications from previously inserted plates.

“The problem with the disc is that the officer mishandled it and pushed it in the middle. So there are three discs that were affected,” Njiru said, noting that emergency medical attention was required.

A heated exchange ensued as lawyers insisted that Tuju be allowed proper treatment, including the provision of painkillers, while emphasizing the need for the doctors’ guidance.

“You must allow the doctors to do their work. Allow the doctors to do their work. He has a right,” Njiru was heard saying.

“Allow the doctors to do their work. But we are his lawyers. We are here as counsel. It's okay. It's okay. But allow the doctors to do their work.”

Medical personnel at the scene said Tuju required a stretcher due to the spinal injury, and they were coordinating for his immediate care.

When confronted over his presence at the police station, Njiru stressed that, as counsel, he and his team were ensuring Tuju’s rights to representation and medical attention were upheld.

"I am here in the capacity of counsel. And all of these are lawyers. He has a right to representation. He has a right to representation. Which officer is saying that he should not be given medication?" Njiru said.

"He has a spinal injury. He has a spinal injury. They need to put him on a stretcher," he added.

The situation highlighted the difficulties of balancing legal procedures, police custody, and urgent medical needs, with doctors advising that Tuju should not be moved until safely stabilised.

Police and medical teams continued to manage the case at the station, with Tuju under close observation.

Njiru assured that follow-up treatment would be arranged, emphasizing the former CS's need for urgent care.