Ex-Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju to be Charged with Giving False Information

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju is expected to be charged with giving false information to a person employed in public service, contrary to Section 129(a) of the Penal Code. According to a charge sheet shared by his lawyers, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved the charges against the former minister, paving the way for his arraignment in court. The charge alleges that on March 21, 2026, at Entim Sidai Spa & Wellness Sanctuary in Karen, within Lang’ata Sub-county, Tuju informed a police officer attached to Karen Police Station that he had been trailed by unknown assailants and subsequently abducted. Prosecutors claim that the information was false, that Tuju knew it to be untrue at the time, and that he intended for it to be acted upon by the officer. The development comes in the wake of Tuju’s recent disappearance, which had sparked concern among his family and the public, with a case even filed in court seeking to compel security agencies to account for his whereabouts. He yesterday resurfaced, stating that he had been in hiding, a claim that now forms the basis of the charge that he misled authorities. Meanhile, a Kibera court will on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, deliver its ruling on former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju’s applications challenging the case by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and seeking bail pending arraignment in a false information case. Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atambo issued the directive on Tuesday, setting the ruling for noon after the prosecution informed the court that Tuju had been taken to hospital following his arrest on Monday. The court ordered that a comprehensive medical report be prepared to assess his condition before deciding on the application. In her directions, the magistrate emphasised the need for proper medical attention as the court considers whether it has jurisdiction to hear the matter and whether Tuju should be released on bail. “I will give my ruling tomorrow, the 25th of March 2026, at 12 o’clock. In the meantime, let the patient or the suspect be provided with comprehensive, proper medical attention to avoid further injury and/or deterioration of his health,” the court directed. The magistrate noted that the court could not determine whether Tuju should remain admitted to hospital or be discharged without a clear medical assessment, adding that his health status would be a key factor in determining the application. Tuju was not produced in court on Tuesday after the prosecution told the court that police had moved him to Karen Hospital for treatment. His lawyers urged the court to defer the matter and grant him a free bond, arguing that he is unwell and will attend court whenever required. The former CS remains in police custody as the court considers both his bail application and his challenge to the DCI case, including whether it has jurisdiction to hear the matter. Tuju is facing charges over giving false information to a person employed in the public service, contrary to Section 129(a) of the Penal Code. The charge sheet alleges that on March 21, 2026, at Entim Sidai Spa and Wellness Sanctuary in Karen within Lang’ata Sub-county, Tuju informed a police officer attached to Karen Police Station that he had been trailed by unknown assailants and subsequently abducted. Prosecutors claim the information was false and that Tuju knew it was untrue at the time, intending for it to be acted upon by the officer. The case arises from Tuju’s recent disappearance, which sparked concern among his family and the public, prompting legal action seeking to compel security agencies to account for his whereabouts. He later resurfaced and stated that he had gone into hiding due to fear for his safety, a claim that now forms the basis of the prosecution’s case that he misled authorities. The directions come amid a separate application in which Tuju has moved to the High Court seeking anticipatory bail to block his arrest and continued detention by police.