NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has broken his silence after days of unexplained absence, recounting a chilling ordeal in which he claims he was trailed by vehicles without number plates before going into hiding.
In a statement delivered shortly after resurfacing, Tuju described how suspicion first set in when a Land Cruiser without registration plates began following him, triggering memories of a previous incident in which nearly 20 similar vehicles had surrounded his Karen premise.
“I was a little bit concerned that I was being followed,” he said. “Having experienced when close to 20 Land Cruisers came to my premises, I got very worried.”
According to his account, the situation escalated as he approached the Karen roundabout in Nairobi, where he says the suspicious Land Cruiser closed in.
“By the time I reached Karen roundabout, they were back to back with me,” he said.
Familiar with the leafy suburb, he made a split-second decision to veer off into smaller roads within Karen in what appeared to be an attempt to evade the convoy. He eventually abandoned his vehicle and sought refuge.
“I know Karen very well. I went into some roads within Karen. I abandoned the vehicle there. I had already reported there,” he added, without clarifying whom he had alerted.
Raphael Tuju: I noticed I was being followed before and reported it to the authorities. On Saturday as I was going for an interview at Ramogi FM, and noticed the same vehicle from before following me, only this time without plate numbers. Fortunately, I know Karen well and
He later found shelter with a family in Kiambu County, an act he described as deeply moving.
“A family in Kiambu was able to shelter me. They didn’t care what tribe I was,” he said.
The leader remained in hiding until he felt it was safe to reappear, revealing that his family had been left shaken by the incident.
“My family is traumatized. I consider myself just blessed,” he said.
In an emotionally charged statement, he raised alarm over what he described as a broader climate of fear, alleging enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
“I know there are Kenyans in unmarked graves… Kenyans are being slaughtered like chickens,” he claimed, offering no immediate evidence to support the assertions.
Raphael Tuju: My family is traumatized and I consider myself lucky because there are many Kenyans with unmarked graves
He also questioned the role of law enforcement, suggesting a lack of trust in the authorities.
“You may ask why I didn’t go to the police station to report—how do you go report to the same people who have been in my place with vehicles without number plates?” he posed.
Instead, he said he reached out to trusted allies, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Raphael Tuju, whom he credited for their support during the ordeal.
“I had to contact those whom I had to contact,” he said.
Reflecting on the experience, he suggested the outcome could have been far worse.
“If they got me, it would be quiet,” he said.
The claims have not yet been independently verified, and authorities had not issued an official response by the time of publication.
The incident, however, is likely to intensify scrutiny over alleged surveillance, security operations, and the safety of political figures in the country.
Kalonzo Musyoka: We thank God that our brother is alive and well. The truth of the matter is that there is an abduction squad in town
The reappearance follows days of tension after Tuju was reported missing by his family after failing to return home.
The incident was reported at Karen Police Station.
His disappearance was first flagged after he missed a scheduled media interview and his phone went off, raising an immediate alarm.
Police later discovered his vehicle abandoned along Miotoni Lane in Karen, with its hazard lights on.
His lawyer had earlier indicated that Tuju had reported being followed by an unmarked vehicle days before he vanished.
The case unfolded amid a standoff at his Karen property, where Tuju had accused security officers of unlawfully occupying his premises.
Authorities have since launched investigations.
