Ex-Kenyan Foreign Minister Arrested for Allegedly Faking Disappearance

Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju has been apprehended just one day after being reported missing. Police allege that he orchestrated a phony disappearance to mislead the public amidst ongoing legal challenges.

The head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, stated that Tuju remained within his home throughout the time he was thought to be missing, branding the incident a "carefully staged disappearance" rather than a real case of abduction.

Amin pointed out that Tuju's actions seemed to be a calculated effort to mislead the public, gain sympathy, and damage the credibility of the National Police Service.

He further noted that providing false information to law enforcement is a grave offense under Kenyan law.

Prior to his arrest, Tuju told Citizen TV that he had gone into hiding after being trailed by an unmarked vehicle. He claimed to have taken a detour to avoid being seen before ultimately leaving his car behind.

Tuju explained that his choice not to reach out to police was influenced by previous events of abductions and killings in Kenya, elaborating that the situation had caused considerable trauma for his family.

“My family is deeply traumatized, and I consider myself fortunate because many Kenyans are in unmarked graves,” he remarked, expressing gratitude to supporters and opposition figures who were concerned for his safety.

Earlier in the incident, police had initiated a search operation after Tuju's family reported that he and his driver had vanished en route to a radio interview. Authorities later discovered his vehicle abandoned with its hazard lights activated in Karen, a well-to-do area in Nairobi, while his phone had been turned off.

Tuju, who has held various government positions, is currently entangled in a contentious legal battle concerning the auction of properties tied to his company, Dari Limited, over an alleged unpaid bank loan of more than $15 million.

He has claimed that influential individuals are attempting to misappropriate his assets, alleging that police officers had previously raided his property, removed staff, and asserted control over the premises. The government has not publicly addressed these allegations.

The news of his supposed disappearance had initially sparked concern from opposition members, including James Orengo, who had suggested Tuju was a kidnapping victim and called for prayers. Another lawmaker, Otiende Amollo, also urged prompt actions from authorities to guarantee his security, cautioning against potential high-profile abductions.

However, police have now shifted their stance, asserting that the episode was fabricated, moving the narrative from a suspected abduction to a criminal inquiry focused on alleged deceit.