Kenyan ex-foreign minister resurfaces after abduction fears
Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju has resurfaced a day after his reported disappearance, which led to fears he may have been abducted.
Speaking to local Citizen TV station on Monday afternoon, he said he had gone into hiding after being followed by an unmarked vehicle.
He said that on realising he was being trailed, he had branched off onto a road where it would be more difficult to follow him. Once he had shaken off the other vehicle, he then abandoned his car which they would be looking for.
“My family is very traumatised and I consider myself blessed because there are many Kenyans in unmarked graves,” he said, thanking Kenyans and opposition politicians who had stood by him.
He mentioned other Kenyans who had been abducted or killed in the past, explaining that this was why he had not sought Police help and instead went into hiding.
Earlier, the Police had said they were investigating his reported disappearance and appealed to the public for information.
His family had said the ex-minister and his driver had gone missing as they were on their way to an evening radio interview on Saturday.
Police said his vehicle was found abandoned with its hazard lights on along a road in Karen, an upmarket suburb of the capital, Nairobi. They said they could not reach him as his phone was switched off.
The former minister, who served in several government roles, has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle contesting the auction and takeover of his properties in Nairobi over an unsettled bank loan.
He recently alleged that dozens of Police officers had raided his property in Karen, ejected his staff and security guards and taken control of the business premises.
He claimed that powerful officials were behind attempts to seize his property. The government has not commented on the allegations.
The court dispute involves lenders seeking to recover debts of over $15m tied to properties owned by Tuju’s company, Dari Limited.
He has lodged multiple unsuccessful legal challenges to stop the auction, and recently obtained orders barring the transfer of the property until his latest application is heard.
On Sunday, Tuju’s lawyer Paul Nyamodi told local media that prior to his disappearance, the ex-minister had filed a report to the Police about being trailed by an unmarked vehicle.
Tuju’s disappearance prompted allegations by prominent opposition figures that the ex-minister may have been abducted.
“We thank God that our brother is alive and well,” opposition politician Kalonzo Musyoka said on Monday.
“The truth of the matter is that there is an abduction squad in town.
“Let everybody calm down and adhere to the principles of constitutionalism and the rule of law,” he added.
