Tuju: Why I did not report to police about unknown people following me
By Aloys Michael, March 23, 2026Former Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju has broken his silence over his recent disappearance, explaining why he chose not to report to the police after being trailed by unknown individuals.
In a press briefing on Monday, March 23, 2026, after his resurface, Tuju expressed deep mistrust in law enforcement agencies, claiming that the conduct of some officers made it difficult for him to seek their protection.
According to Tuju, individuals he claimed to be police officers had previously visited his residence using vehicles without number plates, an incident he said raised serious concerns about their identity and intentions.
“Police have been to my residence without number plates on their vehicles. How do you go to report to them?” he posed.
The former CS said the experience left him uneasy and forced him to reconsider his options, ultimately choosing to go into hiding rather than risk what he described as a potentially dangerous encounter.
Moreover, he cited the case of veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho to illustrate his fears, claiming that the manner in which Gaitho was handled by detectives reinforced his decision.
“He was abducted at Karen Police Station. So I had to think and decide what to do next.”
His remarks come amid growing public scrutiny over alleged cases of enforced disappearances and the conduct of security agencies in the country.
Concerns over Kenyans’ safety
While the police have yet to publicly respond to Tuju’s accusations, the incident adds to a series of concerns raised by civil society groups and public figures regarding the methods used by some officers in carrying out arrests and investigations.
Tuju questioned why he would have driven to a police station after managing to evade those who were trailing him, arguing that such a move would have placed him in further danger.
“Why would I have gone to the police station where Gaitho was abducted?” he posed.
He noted that the journalist was taken from a place he said would offer safety, adding that the circumstances made him wary of seeking help from the same channels.
“He was abducted in front of a police station he thought would have offered him safety,” Tuju stated.
Tuju explained that, given the situation, he opted to reach out to individuals and contacts he trusted, including some international connections, for guidance and support.
“I had to contact those I trusted. I have contacted good contacts internationally,” he said.