Former Kenyan Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju has resurfaced after his reported disappearance sparked fears he had been abducted, saying he went into hiding after being followed by an unmarked vehicle.
Speaking to Citizen TV on Monday, Tuju said he realised he was being trailed and deliberately diverted onto a different route before abandoning his car to avoid detection.
“My family is very traumatised… and I consider myself blessed because there are many Kenyans in unmarked graves,” he said, thanking supporters and opposition figures who raised alarm over his disappearance.
Tuju said past cases of abductions and killings influenced his decision not to seek police protection, opting instead to go into hiding.
Police had earlier launched an investigation after his family reported him missing on Saturday evening while he was en route to a radio interview. His vehicle was later found abandoned with hazard lights on in Karen, an affluent suburb of Nairobi, while his phone remained switched off.
The incident triggered political reactions, with opposition figures suggesting the possibility of enforced disappearance. Kalonzo Musyoka said: “We thank God that our brother is alive and well,” while alleging the existence of an “abduction squad.”
Tuju has been embroiled in a long-running legal dispute over the auction of his Nairobi properties linked to debts exceeding $15 million tied to his company, Dari Limited. He has accused powerful individuals of attempting to seize his assets, including claims that police officers raided his property and took control of the premises.
The government has not commented on the allegations.
Prior to his disappearance, Tuju had filed a police report stating he was being followed by an unmarked vehicle, according to his lawyer.
Authorities have not yet issued further details on the circumstances surrounding the incident.