DCI: Raphael Tuju’s disappearance was staged
By Aloys Michael, March 23, 2026The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has declared that the reported disappearance of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju was not a genuine abduction but a carefully orchestrated act intended to mislead the public and authorities.
DCI’s remarks came moments after Tuju was taken in for questioning at Karen Police Station.
Speaking on Monday, March 23, 2026, during a press briefing, DCI Director Amin Mohamed said investigators had reached a conclusive finding based on intelligence and forensic analysis.
“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,” Mohamed stated.
According to Mohamed, the timeline of events provided by Tuju and his associates does not align with evidence collected by investigators, insisting that Tuju remained at his home even at the time he was reported missing.
“He was at his current residence on the 1st of March 2026, even at the precise time he was allegedly missing,” Mohamed said.
The DCI boss noted that surveillance, forensic tracking, and corroborated intelligence all pointed to the same conclusion: Tuju never left his residence during the alleged disappearance.
Resurfacing raises suspicion?
Mohamed further revealed that Tuju’s eventual reappearance reinforced investigators’ earlier suspicions that the incident had been staged.
“When confronted with the reality that police were closing in on the truth and that his deception could no longer be sustained, Mr Tuju chose to resurface,” he said.
He added that Tuju’s return effectively confirmed what authorities had already suspected.
“This was a carefully staged disappearance rather than a genuine case of abduction,” Mohamed asserted.
The DCI accused Tuju of deliberately attempting to manipulate public perception and divert law enforcement resources.
“The National Police Service views this conduct not merely as an isolated act of falsehood, but as a deliberate attempt to mislead the Kenyan public, misdirect law enforcement resources, and undermine confidence in the institutions tasked with protecting our citizens,” Mohamed said.
Amin says significant resources were deployed to investigate the claimed disappearance, including personnel, surveillance operations, and forensic analysis, efforts they now believe were unnecessarily expended due to false claims.
He suggested that the reported staging may have been driven by ulterior motives, including attempts to gain public sympathy or advance personal or political interests.
“This deliberate conduct appears to be intended to generate unwarranted sympathy and to undermine the integrity of both the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” he said.
He added that investigators are examining whether the incident was part of a broader strategy aimed at influencing public opinion or political narratives.
What Tuju says
This also comes moments after Tuju revealed how he snubbed people who were trailing him, saying he sought refuge with a family in Kiambu County after being trailed by unknown individuals in an unmarked vehicle.
In a press briefing at his Karen residence on Monday, March 23, 2026, after days of speculation over his whereabouts, Tuju described a tense encounter in which he said he was being followed by individuals whose intentions he could not immediately determine.
He said the vehicle trailing him had no number plates, a detail that heightened his concern for his safety. The incident occurred while he was driving himself, accompanied by his aide.
“I got very worried. I was the one driving, as I often do, and by the time I reached Karen roundabout, they had really closed in. They were definitely making sure they were back-to-back with me,” he narrated.
Tuju said he relied on his familiarity with the area and made a sudden turn onto Nandi Road, a move he said helped him evade the suspected pursuers.
“They were not able to branch into Nandi Road. It meant they either had to turn and face oncoming traffic to follow me or go round. That is how I lost them,” he explained.
After shaking off the vehicle, Tuju said he continued driving through several roads within Karen to confirm he was no longer being followed. He later abandoned his vehicle and sought shelter with a family in Kiambu County.
He added that he had reported the incident to the police before leaving his car.
Fearing for his safety, he decided not to return home immediately. Instead, he crossed into the Kiambu area, where he was taken in by a family that offered him shelter without hesitation.
“I want to thank a family in Kiambu, at the boundary between here and Kiambu, who gave me shelter. They did not care about my tribe; they simply saw me as a human being,” Tuju said.