Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has been arrested and taken to Karen Police Station to record a statement regarding what investigators have described as a possible “staged abduction”.
The Director of Criminal Investigations, Mohammed Amin, confirmed the arrest on Monday while speaking at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road.
According to Mohammed, Tuju is expected to give a “comprehensive statement” explaining his whereabouts, the circumstances surrounding his abandoned motor vehicle, and reports earlier filed by his family. He is also required to provide details of a good Samaritan who allegedly offered him accommodation in Kiambu, as well as any other relevant contacts.
“We have arrested Raphael Tuju to assist us with investigations into this matter,” Mohammed said. “He will be required to explain the sequence of events and clarify all outstanding questions related to the incident.”
The DCI boss said Tuju was at his home in Karen the whole time he was reported missing.
He further warned that any deliberate attempts to mislead the public or misuse police resources would be dealt with firmly.
“We are resolute in ensuring that attempts to undermine confidence in our national institutions are thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators held accountable,” Mohammed stated. “Public trust is sacred and must be earned through a relentless pursuit of truth, evidence-based action and zero tolerance for deception.”
Meanwhile, Tuju's lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, said the former CS, who had been missing since Saturday evening, was manhandled during the arrest and sustained injuries, prompting a demand that he be taken to Karen Hospital for treatment.
Tuju resurfaced on Monday, detailing the circumstances that led to his brief disappearance.
Speaking publicly for the first time since he was reported missing, Tuju said he made a deliberate decision not to seek help from the police, citing what he described as worrying encounters with individuals he believes were security officers.
According to him, people believed to be police had previously visited his home in vehicles without number plates, raising doubts about their identity and intentions.
“Police have been to my residence without number plates on their vehicles. How do you go to report to them?” he said.
Tuju explained that these experiences left him feeling unsafe, forcing him to weigh his options carefully before choosing to disappear from public view.
His concerns were further shaped by recent incidents involving other public figures. He pointed to the case of journalist Macharia Gaitho, saying it reinforced his fears about how some operations are conducted.
“So I had to think and decide what to do next,” he added.
Tuju had gone missing over the weekend alongside his aide, sparking widespread concern after his vehicle was found abandoned in Karen, Nairobi, with his phone switched off. The incident had triggered a search and drawn reactions from political leaders and the public.
His reappearance now shifts attention to the broader questions he has raised about security operations and public confidence in law enforcement.