Owalo condemns police action at Tuju’s Dari Business Park, urges civil resolution
By Faith Lagat, March 15, 2026Former Cabinet Secretary and 2027 presidential aspirant Eliud Owalo has criticised the deployment of police officers to enforce the eviction at Raphael Tuju’s Dari Business Park in Karen, Nairobi.
Speaking in a statement on X on March 15, 2026, Owalo described the action as a breach of the rule of law in what he termed a purely commercial dispute. He visited the premises in solidarity with Tuju, calling for resolution through civil law rather than criminal enforcement.
“This is a commercial dispute that should be sorted out within the confines of civil law as opposed to criminal law,” Owalo said. “Deployment of the police at a private facility over a commercial dispute is in my view in total contradiction to the rule of law.”
He warned that such actions could discourage entrepreneurs and foreign investment, ultimately harming Kenya’s economy. Owalo posted photos outside the sealed gates, highlighting the early-morning operation conducted on March 14, which locked out Tuju and others.
Dari Business Park dispute
The controversy stems from a 2015 loan of approximately Ksh 943.9 million that Tuju’s company, Dari Limited, secured from the East African Development Bank (EADB) to acquire and develop commercial units.
The loan defaulted and grew to about Ksh 2.2 billion after accrued interest and costs. A recent High Court ruling dismissed Tuju’s attempt to halt the auction of his properties.
Subsequently, officers from the Rapid Response Unit arrived before dawn, sealed the compound, and removed occupants, affecting more than 25 businesses. Tuju claimed the operation occurred without a valid eviction order and resulted in injuries to a family member.
Political reactions and broader debate
Owalo’s criticism reflects wider concern among political leaders. Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o described the police deployment as “troubling” and warned it undermines Kenya’s democratic gains and judicial processes.
Siaya Governor James Orengo called Tuju a “wonderful leader and strategist” and a “victim of ferocious capitalism and a bloody cabal in a kleptocratic state,” stressing that when the judiciary fails, justice becomes elusive.
The incident has sparked debate over the limits of state power in civil debt recovery and the risks of politicising commercial disputes.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has criticised the police involvement in Raphael Tuju’s commercial dispute, describing it as a troubling bypass of established legal procedures. He said the deployment of over 50 officers from the Rapid Response Unit to seal off Tuju’s Dari Business Park and remove occupants raises serious questions about how institutions tasked with upholding the rule of law conduct themselves.
Nyong’o emphasised that debt recovery should follow transparent civil law processes and warned that arbitrary actions risk undermining public trust, investor confidence, and Kenya’s international reputation.
The governor defended Tuju’s record as a former senior public servant, stating that, regardless of the dispute, he does not deserve humiliation or unnecessary public embarrassment.
Nyong’o urged authorities to exercise restraint, respect due process, and ensure that all Kenyans receive fair treatment under the law, invoking the national anthem’s pledge that “Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi” as a reminder of the principles that should guide justice in the country.