Cherargei: Raphael Tuju should issue a public apology
By Faith Lagat, March 24, 2026Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called on former Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju to issue an unqualified public apology following the controversy surrounding his recent disappearance, which authorities have labeled a staged event rather than a genuine abduction.
In an interview on March 23, 2026, Cherargei described the incident as a “charade” and “self-abduction” orchestrated to garner public sympathy amid Tuju’s financial troubles.
“Raphael Tuju should issue a public apology,” Cherargei stated. “You can imagine the anxiety in the country. And, you know, we must stop this issue and this charade of self-abduction.”
The saga began after Tuju was reported missing over the weekend, sparking widespread concern. He resurfaced claiming he had been trailed by unknown individuals in an unmarked vehicle while driving in Karen, narrating that he evaded them by making a sudden turn and seeking refuge with a family in Kiambu County.
“I want to thank a family in Kiambu… They did not care about my tribe; they simply saw me as a human being,” Tuju said during a press briefing.
DCI contradicts Tuju’s account
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) swiftly contradicted Tuju’s account. DCI Director Mohammed Amin said investigations, including intelligence, forensic analysis, surveillance, and tracking, showed Tuju had remained at his Karen residence throughout the period.
“Based on solid intelligence and meticulous forensic analysis, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations concludes, without an iota of doubt, that Honourable Raphael Tuju was physically present within his residence throughout the period in question,” Amin asserted.
Amin accused Tuju of misleading the public and wasting significant police resources. He said the conduct appeared intended to generate sympathy and divert attention from personal financial obligations, including debts related to Dari Property Limited.
Cherargei warns against setting a precedent
Cherargei linked the episode to Tuju’s financial pressures. “I wish Tuju all the best in his financial obligation. The only way I want to advise him is to repay his debt obligation. You cannot run away from your debt obligation by doing unnecessary drama,” he said.
The senator warned that such actions could encourage future leaders to stage similar sympathy abductions for political or public gain.
“We must stop this issue and this charade of self-abduction. And I hope when the issue is taken to court tomorrow, the judiciary should take note that as we go into the future, there will be leaders who will self-abduct for public sympathy.
Drawing from personal experience, Cherargei highlighted his own history of arrests and abductions by police, saying, “I have been abducted by the police before on many occasions… So I wouldn’t champion for anybody to be abducted.”
The incident has sparked debates on public trust, misuse of law enforcement resources, and the boundary between genuine safety fears and possible manipulation. Tuju was taken for questioning at Karen Police Station, with investigations into the motives and implications ongoing.