The Tuju property was blocked by police in a heavy-handed raid that left top opposition figures standing outside the gates this morning. Raphael Tuju, Jimi Wanjigi and Wanga turned up at Dari Business Park in Karen only to find rows of armed officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit, RECCE squads and other GSU teams stopping anyone from going inside. The whole place looked locked down tight, with heavily armed police taking full control on what insiders called an order from above.
Videos shot on phones show the moment the group arrived. Tuju stepped forward first, trying to talk his way past the line of officers. Behind him stood Jimi Wanjigi and Wanga, both looking surprised at the size of the security presence. One clip captures an officer shaking his head and pointing back to the road, saying no one could enter without clearance.
No papers were shown on camera, and Tuju later posted that the team never produced any court document or official notice. The gates stayed chained, and staff who were already inside were kept there while outsiders were turned away.
This latest twist comes just days after the first eviction drama at the same property. Tuju has been battling the East African Development Bank over a long-standing Sh2 billion loan. The bank wants to auction the complex, which includes Tamarind Restaurant and several other businesses.
Tuju won a small court breathing space earlier in the week when Justice Josephine Mongare allowed an appeal hearing for March 17. Many thought that ruling would pause any physical action, but the weekend raid and this morning’s blockade suggest someone higher up decided to move anyway.
People living nearby in Karen woke up to the unusual sight of police vans lining the quiet streets. One resident said she counted at least five GSU trucks and saw officers in full gear standing shoulder to shoulder.
“It felt like something out of a movie,” she told a local radio station. Workers inside the park sent messages to friends saying they were told to stay put until further notice. A few managed to slip out through a side exit before the full cordon went up, but most stayed trapped for hours.
Tuju stood outside for nearly an hour, speaking to reporters who had rushed to the scene. He called the move illegal and said it showed how powerful people can bend rules when they want to. Jimi Wanjigi, never one to stay quiet, raised his voice at the officers and demanded to know who gave the command.
Wanga tried to keep things calm, but the frustration was clear on everyone’s faces. Social media lit up fast with the videos. Hashtags about the Tuju property and police blockade started trending before lunchtime, with many Kenyans asking why such force was used on what looks like a private business dispute.
The East African Development Bank has not made any public statement today, but court papers from earlier cases show they have pushed hard to recover the money. Tuju’s lawyers argue the timing feels suspicious because the appeal date is so close.
They plan to mention this morning’s blockade when they return to court next week. In the meantime, the park sits empty of customers. Tamarind Restaurant turned away walk-ins, and other small businesses inside lost a full day of trade.
Friends of Tuju say the former cabinet secretary is determined to fight on. He has already instructed his team to gather more evidence and prepare fresh applications to stop any auction. For the workers, the worry is real – many rely on daily wages and have no idea when the gates might open again. One young waiter who made it out told reporters he just wants to get back to his job and feed his family.
This kind of scene is rare in Karen, an area known for its quiet, leafy streets and high-end homes. Seeing GSU officers and RECCE teams in full force has left neighbours uneasy.
Some wonder if the order from above came from political levels, especially since Tuju has been vocal in opposition circles lately. Others say it is simply a bank collecting what it is owed and that the heavy security was needed to keep things peaceful.
As the sun climbed higher, the officers stayed in place, blocking every entrance. Tuju and his group eventually drove away, but they promised to return with lawyers and more cameras. The videos keep spreading, and the questions keep growing. Was this raid really necessary? Why ignore the pending appeal? And what happens to the people who earn their living inside those gates?
