Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju stood before the Kibera Law Courts on Tuesday to deny allegations that he provided false information to a public officer. Tuju entered a plea of not guilty following a summons from Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atambo.
The court had called for the plea in connection to a case surrounding Tuju’s recent disappearance, an event that triggered widespread public alarm and led to legal efforts to locate him.
The formal charge sheet traces the incident back to March 21, 2026, at the Entim Sidai Spa and Wellness Sanctuary in the Karen area of Lang’ata Sub-county. Prosecutors claim that Tuju told a police officer from the Karen Police Station that unknown assailants had trailed and kidnapped him.
The state now argues that this report was entirely fabricated. Prosecutors contend that Tuju knew the information was false when he shared it and that he intended for the officer to launch an investigation based on the untrue claims.
Tuju firmly denied the allegations and entered a plea of not guilty. His legal team immediately moved to secure his release, pointing out that the alleged offense is a misdemeanor. Defense lawyer Edward Oonge leaned on Tuju’s extensive career to support the request, stating, “The charge before you is a misdemeanor, and the accused person has a history of service to this country for many years. This could be the first time he is appearing before court to answer to a criminal charge.”
The defense team also shared personal details regarding Tuju’s current situation, informing the magistrate that the former cabinet secretary is currently recuperating from an illness. They further noted that Tuju is presently unemployed following the recent closure of his business.
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Prosecution Challenges Tuju Over Vehicle Linked to Case
The prosecution did not fight Tuju’s release on cash bail but raised concerns regarding a vehicle connected to the investigation. State lawyers advised the defense to file a formal application if they wished to recover the car. They explained that an investigating officer must first determine if the vehicle serves as a necessary exhibit, noting that the court could not make a ruling on the matter without a proper legal motion.
Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atambo granted Tuju his freedom on a personal bond of Sh100,000. In her ruling, she specified the conditions of his release: “The accused person is hereby released on a personal bond of Sh100,000 with one contact person.”
To prepare for a fair trial, the court ordered the prosecution to hand over all witness statements and intended exhibits to the defense team. Magistrate Atambo also addressed the dispute over the impounded vehicle, instructing both sides to collaborate with the investigating officer. She noted that if the vehicle does not serve as a trial exhibit, the parties should agree on its release.
The magistrate provided a clear path forward if the two sides cannot reach an agreement. “If there’s no agreement, then the defense should make an official application… so that the prosecution can reply on the day of the next hearing,” Atambo ruled.
The court set April 15, 2026, for a mention to confirm that both sides have followed these pre-trial directions and to establish a timeline for the upcoming hearing.
