Raphael Tuju Defies Eviction Threats at Karen Property Amid Sh1.9 Billion Debt Battle
Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has issued a defiant warning, vowing he will not vacate his disputed property in Karen, Nairobi, declaring that auctioneers or anyone attempting to take over the premises will have to "kill him first."
Speaking at the Dari Business Park—home to businesses like the Tamarind Brasserie—Tuju addressed recent attempts by individuals he named as Mr. Chebet, Mr. Kiprono, and Mr. Kiprop, who allegedly invaded the site claiming ownership after purchasing it. He insisted the matter remains unresolved in court, accusing the trio of intimidation tactics amid a long-running legal dispute over a Sh1.9 billion loan from the East African Development Bank (EADB) advanced to his company, Dari Limited, a decade ago.
The standoff follows a recent High Court ruling that dismissed Tuju's suit to halt the auction of three prime Karen properties, including Dari Business Park (L.R. No. 1055/165) and Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary, which served as collateral for the debt. The court struck out the case filed by Dari Limited and Tuju, lifted prior interim orders, and cleared the path for the lender to proceed with recovery efforts, following earlier dismissals at higher levels, including the Supreme Court in 2023. Tuju described the eviction push as part of a broader conspiracy to pressure him, linking it to an incident earlier this week where several people were arrested at the property.
Tuju further alleged that Monday's arrests involved a former judge, a lawyer, and a broker who approached him seeking a bribe to influence a judge in the Commercial Division of the High Court handling related matters. He claimed the group posed as acting on behalf of the judge to solicit funds in exchange for a favorable outcome in the property dispute. Despite mounting legal setbacks and enforcement actions, Tuju remains resolute, maintaining that any forceful removal constitutes harassment while the case is sub judice, drawing significant public attention to the high-stakes financial and legal confrontation unfolding both in court and on the ground.
