Raphael Tuju Drama: Kalonzo, Lawyers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Detention of Former CS

Raphael Tuju Drama: Kalonzo, Lawyers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Detention of Former CS

Fresh controversy has erupted over the welfare of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju after opposition leaders and his legal team alleged that he was forcibly detained by authorities under unclear circumstances at Karen Police Station in Nairobi.

The incident, which unfolded on Monday, March 23, sparked tension outside the station, drawing politicians, lawyers, and members of the public amid claims that Tuju’s health was deteriorating while in police custody.

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka was among the first senior figures to raise alarm, stating that security officers had surrounded Tuju’s residence before escorting him away.

In a social media statement, Kalonzo criticised the manner in which the former Jubilee Party Secretary General was handled, saying due process had not been followed.

“Hours ago, police & DCI officers surrounded and barricaded Hon. Raphael Tuju’s home, refusing to let anyone leave until they had him,” Kalonzo said.

He explained that he personally accompanied Tuju to the police station in what he described as a cooperative effort to assist investigators.

“I personally drove him to Karen Police Station to record a statement in good faith, in the spirit of due process. What followed was unacceptable. Hon. Tuju was carried away in a manner that no Kenyan, indeed no human being, should ever experience,” he added.

By Monday afternoon, a dramatic standoff had developed outside Karen Police Station as Tuju’s lawyers demanded information about his whereabouts and medical condition. Advocate Ndegwa Njiru voiced fears that his client could be subjected to unlawful detention.

According to Njiru, Tuju appeared physically weak and unwell when he arrived at the station, raising concerns about whether he should have been subjected to questioning at that time. Despite this, authorities reportedly insisted he record a formal statement.

In video footage circulated online, Njiru is heard urging onlookers to document the situation.

“They want to abduct him. Mark that vehicle. The manner in which they took him was unacceptable,” he said outside the station.

The situation intensified after clips surfaced showing Tuju in visible distress inside the compound, crying out as individuals nearby attempted to calm him. In one video, the former minister appears overwhelmed, clutching himself while speaking incoherently.

“I am dying, I am dying. He has killed me. May he live forever; he will not die,” Tuju was heard saying as someone off-camera reassured him.

Supporters interpreted the footage as evidence of severe emotional or physical distress, while critics urged caution, noting that the full context of the recording remained unclear.

Authorities had not issued an official statement explaining the circumstances of Tuju’s detention or addressing claims about his health by the time of publication. It also remained unclear whether he was under arrest, being questioned as a witness, or receiving medical attention.

The unfolding drama comes just a day after Tuju reappeared following a brief disappearance that had triggered speculation about a possible abduction. At the time, he claimed he had gone into hiding after suspecting he was being followed by unknown individuals.

Political analysts say the rapid sequence of events has heightened tensions between opposition leaders and security agencies, particularly amid broader concerns about personal safety and the treatment of public figures.

Civil society groups and legal experts have called for transparency, urging authorities to clarify Tuju’s status and ensure his constitutional rights are protected.

Meanwhile, crowds gathered outside the police station as news spread, with some chanting and others demanding his immediate release or access to medical care. Police maintained a heavy presence to control the situation and prevent unrest.

As the controversy continues to unfold, attention has shifted to whether independent investigations will be launched into both the alleged detention and Tuju’s earlier claims of surveillance.

For many observers, the episode underscores growing anxiety over political tensions and the rule of law, with calls mounting for accountability and calm as the nation awaits official clarification on the fate and condition of the former Cabinet Secretary.

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Raphael Tuju Drama: Kalonzo, Lawyers Raise Alarm Over Alleged Detention of Former CS