Police have explained why former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju was arrested saying investigations established that his reported disappearance was staged.
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.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the matter escalated after Tuju’s family denied police access to his residence, prompting the National Police Service to deploy a combined team of experienced detectives.
The late-night operation saw officers secure and cordon off Tuju’s Karen home to prevent any potential interference as investigators sought a search warrant in line with legal procedures.
“Following the denial of access, we deployed a multi-agency team to secure the residence and preserve the integrity of the investigation while obtaining the necessary court orders,” Amin explained.
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.
The DCI further indicated that the alleged disappearance was not a genuine case of abduction but a deliberate attempt to mislead authorities.
“When confronted with the evidence, it became apparent that this was a carefully staged disappearance rather than a real abduction. He subsequently resurfaced when the narrative could no longer be sustained,” Amin added.
Authorities warned that such incidents divert critical security resources and create unnecessary public alarm.
“This is not an isolated occurrence. The DCI has documented several cases involving staged disappearances, which strain investigative capacity,” Amin said.
Earlier, Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru raised concerns over the manner in which Tuju was arrested, alleging that the operation was violent and left his client injured.
Njiru claimed that Tuju was forcefully pushed into a vehicle by officers, worsening a pre-existing back injury.
The former Cabinet Secretary was forcefully arrested, barely hours after resurfacing. The arrest, captured by media and bystanders, was swift and intensely physical.
Speaking after the incident, Njiru said the former CS was in pain and required urgent medical attention, with doctors called in to assess his condition.
“They pushed him into the car; he hurt his back, and as we speak, Honourable Tuju is not well. We have invited doctors to come and advise us,” Njiru said.
He added that an ambulance had been called to transfer Tuju to the hospital, describing the situation as a medical emergency.
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