- Former Cabinet minister Raphael Tuju has vowed to defend his disputed Karen estate, declaring that he is ready to die in the process
- He insists that if death occurs, his burial must take place within 48 hours, after showing his family where the grave should be buried, banning any government involvement
- Tuju claims that the recent attempted abduction and assault by the police was meant to end his life, but says he is still mentally prepared for any attempt
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya Raphael Tuju he has vowed to fight for his disputed property, even if it means dying while alive.
Source: UGC
He announced that, if he dies, he insists on being buried within 48 hours, especially if he dies while in government custody.
How Raphael Tuju wants his funeral to be done
Speaking to reporters on Friday, April 10, at his home in Rarieda after being surrounded by his family members, Tuju revealed that he has already informed his close relatives about these orders, stressing that he does not want the government to participate in his funeral.
Delivering the bitter message, the former minister said he was mentally prepared for any outcome, including what he called possible torture.
“I have been through a lot in my life. I have survived a plane crash, I have survived a car accident, and I know that God is with me. I think today I even had to tell you that I am open in my mind…I have been very cheerful with my people, even when I was directing them. I am mentally prepared for any suffering that anyone may want to visit me,” he said.
He referred to the funerals of other prominent people who were buried within hours of their death, mentioning the deceased Raila Odinga and former Chief of Defense Francis Ogolla.
According to Tuju, death is no longer a scary reality in her world, after surviving two near-death experiences. In addition to the appointed time, he showed his family where he would like to be buried in his compound.
“No one lives here forever. Raila died, and within 72 hours, he was buried. Ogola, my neighbor, I had a family the other day. He died, and within 48 hours or 24 hours, he was buried. I have told my people clearly that when it comes to that, that I die, I want to be buried within 48 hours. I don’t want to see any state participating, pretending that it has anything to do with me. No state is involved in my burial. I have shown them especially two places where the family can make the final decision, and I’m ready for anything,” he said.
He added that his life was in danger, insisting that his capture would soon lead to his death, despite the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) dismissing it as a staged incident.
Tuju said his detention at the Karen Police Station when he was sick was also an attempt to kill him.
“They say I went to hide under my bed. That’s why I’m alive today. When people follow you, those who follow you, in a normal country, you run to the nearest police station. But in this case, I’ve put myself in the current police station, and they attacked me, and put me in a cell. And then I was released, without bail,” he said.
Tuju’s problems are centered on his main property in Karen, home to the Dari Business Park, which the East African Development Bank has targeted in efforts to recover the loan he got in 2015.
Who grabbed Raphael Tuju’s property?
A new twist emerged recently in the dispute after businessman Jackson Chebet came forward, claiming ownership of the property.
Source: UGC
Chebet claimed that his company, Ultra Eureka Limited, legally acquired the property at a public auction in October 2024 for KSh 450 million, making him the rightful owner.
In his affidavit in court, the businessman rejected Tuju’s claims, insisting that the purchase was above the norm and that Ultra Eureka now controls the buildings, which are charged to KCB, strengthening his claim as the rightful owner.
Did Raphael Tuju seek help from William Ruto?
Earlier, it was revealed that Tuju had reached out to the President William Ruto for help, but the advice given did not seem to satisfy him.
Ruto suggested that Tuju could only recover the disputed property by paying compensation to the auction buyer.
However, Tuju opposed this option, insisting instead that the patent be returned to his name free of charge, which became the heart of the dispute.
Speaking at a political meeting, Ruto admitted that some of Tuju’s friends were exacerbating his problems instead of helping him.
He said that the opposition politicians were using the situation for political gain, deceiving Tuju with tactics such as organizing kidnapping instead of providing real help to protect his property.
Ruto stressed that Tuju needed real guidance and real support instead of people seeking fame through luck its bad.
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