Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has hit out at the aggressive removal of former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju from his multi-million-shilling business property in Karen, Nairobi. Nyong’o questioned why the state deployed a massive wave of police officers to manage what he describes as a private civil matter that belongs in a different arena.
“The recent event surrounding the handling of Raphael Tuju’s Laon dispute and commercial affairs raises serious questions about the conduct of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law in our country,” he said in a statement issued on Sunday.
RELATED – Raphael Tuju Loses Court Bid to Stop Auction of Multi-Billion Karen Property
A Threat to Democratic Progress
The governor noted that Kenya has endured a long, difficult journey to establish a democracy that protects the rights and liberties of every citizen. He views these latest developments as a major step backward.
“The use of uniformed police officers whose primary duty is to maintain law and order to facilitate actions that seemingly bypass established legal processes is troubling,” the Kisumu County boss said.
Nyong’o pointed out that the government should use the police to protect the public, not to skip over the standard legal steps required in commercial disagreements.
Governor Nyong’o argues that civil law provides a clear and established framework for debt recovery and business disagreements. He believes these issues require transparent, legal handling rather than the tactics recently witnessed in Karen.
“The resort to nocturnal operations and coercive displays of state power in matters of a civil nature invites legitimate public concern. One must ask, under what legal provision are such actions justified?” he wondered.
A Call for Dignity and Due Process
The governor pointed out that Tuju is a former senior public servant who has represented Kenya at the highest levels. He noted that regardless of the details of the financial dispute, Tuju is not a fugitive or a criminal. In Nyong’o’s view, no citizen deserves treatment that leads to public humiliation or harassment.
“Those entrusted with public authority must exercise it with restraint, legality and respect for due process. Ultimately, every Kenyan, regardless of status, creed, or political inclination, deserves fair and just treatment under the law,” he said.
Nyong’o concluded by reminding those in power that they must use their authority with caution and a deep respect for the law.
The scene at Dari Business Park on Saturday morning felt more like a tactical operation than a typical property handover. Kenyans woke up to viral videos showing five vehicles filled with heavily armed police officers descending on the Ngong Road property in Karen.
The officers arrived around 2 am, under the cover of darkness, to oversee Tuju’s removal from the 21-acre site. This move followed reports that the property had been sold at auction to settle a long-standing bank debt.
A Tense Night at the Compound
The police arrival followed a chaotic Friday night. Tuju himself had to confront a group of hired goons who tried to seize the premises. The compound houses his private office and approximately 25 other active businesses, all of which became entangled in the struggle.
This standoff stems from a court ruling that finally allowed the auction of the property. The sale aims to recover a debt that has climbed to over Sh1.9 billion after years of intense legal battles in the halls of justice.
By Saturday, a high-profile group of leaders gathered at the disputed site to stand with the former cabinet minister. They included Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Rarieda MP and Senior Counsel Otiende Amollo, Jimi Wanjigi, and renowned advocate PLO Lumumba.
