A confrontation was reported in the early hours of Saturday morning after former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju claimed that security officers stormed his property in Nairobi at around 3 AM. Tuju said the officers, believed to be from the Rapid Response Unit, entered his Dari Business Park and attacked him during a tense standoff linked to an ongoing legal dispute over several properties.
According to Tuju, the officers arrived at the compound in the middle of the night and attempted to force their way into the premises. He said he confronted them while trying to protect the property, arguing that the matter concerning the land is still active in court and has not been fully resolved. Tuju maintained that he has the right to defend the property while pursuing his legal options through the courts.
The incident happened shortly after the High Court allowed Tuju and his company, Dari Limited, to move forward with an appeal connected to a Sh2.2 billion loan dispute.
The case involves disagreements with auctioneers and property valuers who have been linked to attempts to recover the debt through the possible sale of the contested assets.
In directions issued at the Milimani Law Courts, Justice Josephine Mongare instructed Tuju and the other applicants to formally file their appeal documents and prepare the case for hearing. The judge also directed that the matter be mentioned again on March 17 for further directions as the court considers the next steps in the case.
Tuju believes the early morning confrontation was connected to the property dispute. He claimed that individuals with powerful interests may be attempting to take control of the properties before the legal process is completed. He argued that any attempt to seize or sell the assets before the appeal is heard would undermine the ongoing court process.
The properties at the center of the dispute are located in Nairobi’s Karen area and along Ngong Road. Among them is a parcel L.R. No. 1055/165, which hosts the well-known Tamarind Restaurant. Another property involved in the dispute is L.R. No. 11320/3, where the Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary operates.
These properties are considered high-value assets because of their location and commercial activity. Tuju said he fears they could be transferred or auctioned before his appeal is determined, which he believes would make the appeal meaningless.
The legal dispute intensified earlier this week after the High Court declined to issue interim orders that would have stopped the implementation of a previous ruling delivered on March 9, 2026. That ruling struck out Tuju’s amended plaint and removed court protections that had prevented the defendants from dealing with the disputed properties.
With those orders lifted, auctioneers such as Garam Investment Auctioneers and Knight Frank Kenya are no longer restricted by the earlier court protections and may proceed with steps related to the recovery process.
Despite this development, Tuju returned to court seeking permission to appeal the ruling and asked the court to urgently intervene. While the court allowed him to pursue the appeal, it did not grant temporary orders to stop the execution of the earlier decision.
