Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has claimed that police officers forcefully entered his Karen residence in the early hours of Saturday morning and attempted to remove him from the premises.
Tuju said officers believed to be from a Rapid Response Unit stormed his compound in the upscale Karen area of Nairobi at around 3:00 am, allegedly ejecting his security guards before occupying the property.
The dramatic incident comes amid an ongoing legal dispute that could see the former government official lose some of his high-end properties through auction.
Tuju Claims Police Had No Court Order
Speaking during the confrontation, Tuju accused the officers of acting without legal authority.
According to him, the officers did not present a court order before attempting to force him out of the property.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Raphael Tuju. It is 3 am. I have just been attacked by a squad of policemen at Karen in Nairobi. They have kicked out my guards and security and occupied my facility by force,” Tuju said.
The former Cabinet Secretary maintained that the action was unlawful and insisted he would not vacate the premises without proper legal documentation.
“I am not going to leave this place. They have to kill me first because they have no court order. It is not lawful for them to come to my premises at this time and force me out,” he added.
“I Am Ready to Die Defending My Property”
In emotional remarks, Tuju said he was prepared to defend the property at all costs.
The former Secretary General of the Jubilee Party described the situation as unjust and likened it to lawlessness.
“This is not law, and if it were law, it would be the law of the jungle. I am steadfast and ready to die. If I die in this place, may God bless you,” Tuju said.
His dramatic declaration highlights the seriousness of the dispute surrounding the Karen property, which is reportedly among several assets caught up in a long-running legal battle.
Court Battle Over Prime Karen Property
The incident follows recent developments in court proceedings involving Tuju and several contested properties.
Earlier this month, the High Court declined to immediately stop the execution of a ruling that opened the door for the auction of some of the properties linked to Tuju.
In a decision delivered on March 9, the court struck out Tuju’s amended application and lifted earlier orders that had prevented defendants from dealing with the contested properties.
High Court Ruling by Justice Josephine Mong’are
The ruling was delivered by Justice Josephine Mong’are, who declined to grant interim orders that Tuju had requested.
The orders were intended to temporarily block the implementation of the earlier court decision while his legal team prepared to challenge it.
The court’s move effectively allowed processes related to the disputed properties to proceed, including potential auction proceedings.
Temporary Reprieve for Tuju
However, Tuju appeared to gain a brief reprieve just days later.
On Thursday, March 12, the High Court allowed him and his company to seek leave to appeal the ruling that had permitted the auction of the properties.
Justice Mong’are certified the application as urgent and directed that the matter be mentioned on March 17 before the Commercial and Tax Division of the High Court for further directions.
The decision provided Tuju with a temporary window to challenge the earlier ruling.
Lawyers Warned of Possible Auction
Tuju’s lawyers had previously warned that unless the court intervened quickly, auctioneers could move ahead with the sale of the contested properties.
They argued that such a move would render the planned appeal meaningless because the assets could already be transferred to new owners before the case is fully heard.
With the latest developments involving the alleged police action at the Karen residence, those fears may now be materialising.
Questions Raised Over Police Involvement
The alleged overnight operation has also raised questions about the role of security officers in disputes involving private property.
Legal experts say enforcement actions related to property disputes typically require clear court orders and due process.
If Tuju’s claims are confirmed, the situation could trigger legal questions about whether the officers involved had the authority to remove him from the premises.
A High-Stakes Legal Fight
The Karen property dispute has become one of the most closely watched legal battles involving a former senior government official.
Tuju, who previously served in the Cabinet and later as Secretary General of the Jubilee Party, has been engaged in a lengthy legal struggle to retain control of several assets tied to the case.
As the court process continues, attention will now turn to the scheduled court mention on March 17, which could determine the next steps in the case.
For now, the dramatic early-morning confrontation at his Karen home has added another layer of tension to an already high-stakes legal fight.