Raphael Tuju is missing in a suspected abduction case that has University of Nairobi students clashing with police on Nairobi’s streets. The former Cabinet secretary and Jubilee Party figure went off the radar Saturday afternoon, March 21, 2026, sparking family panic and now street protests pointing straight at President William Ruto.
Family members say Tuju was last heard from around midday Saturday. He had planned to join a live interview on Ramogi FM that evening at 7pm but never showed.
His phone stayed off, calls went unanswered, and worry turned to alarm. Earlier that day, he walked into Karen Police Station to file a report – OB 21/21/03/2026 – claiming a white Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series with no plates had tailed him the previous day. He felt watched and wanted it on record.
Sunday morning brought worse news. His son Mano Tuju got a call from the station’s OCS while at church. Police had spotted an abandoned vehicle on Miotoni Lane in Karen – confirmed as Tuju’s. A full missing person’s report followed under OB 17/22/03/2026. His driver, Steve Mwanga, vanished too. No sign of either man since.
This disappearance hits on recent drama in Tuju’s life. Just days earlier, on March 13, armed officers cleared him out of his Dari Business Park property in Karen after a long debt fight. He challenged the auction publicly and even told family where he’d want burial if things turned deadly.
The site was sold off, and he fought back in court. Some see a link; others call it coincidence. Police remain tight-lipped so far, with no official word on foul play.
By Sunday evening, tension boiled over at the University of Nairobi. Students poured onto Uhuru Highway, University Way, and Lower State House Road, blocking traffic and chanting against abductions.
Comrades held signs and shouted that Tuju’s fate is tied to the government. Fingers pointed at President Ruto, with claims this fits a pattern of silencing critics.
Police moved in fast – tear gas flew, stones sailed back, and roads turned chaotic. Drivers got stuck or rerouted while social media filled with live videos of the running battles.
One student group leader told passersby the protest demands answers on Tuju and broader safety for voices against the administration. “If a former CS can disappear like this, what about ordinary Kenyans?” One yelled through a megaphone.
Others linked it to past cases where opponents went quiet suddenly. The crowd grew rowdy, burning tyres in spots and clashing hard with officers.
Tuju built his name in media before jumping into politics. He served as Information CS under Uhuru Kenyatta and then Foreign Affairs and led Jubilee as secretary general.
His outspoken style won fans and enemies alike. Lately, he has criticised the current setup openly. Family and lawyer Paul Nyamodi push for quick action, urging anyone with info to come forward.
Online, reactions split sharply. Supporters flood timelines with prayers and calls for his safe return. Critics question if this distracts from other issues or if personal grudges played a part.
Siaya Governor James Orengo weighed in early, calling for calm and prayers while hinting at deeper worries.
Police investigations continue, but no breakthroughs have been announced yet. The abandoned car sits as the main clue – it was towed away for checks.
The family holds out hope he surfaces soon, unharmed. Meanwhile, Nairobi’s central roads stay risky tonight, with students vowing to keep pressure on until truths emerge.
This case stirs old fears in Kenya about disappearances tied to power plays. Tuju’s profile makes it impossible to ignore. As searches go on and protests simmer, the nation watches for what comes next.
