Ruto Weighs In on Tuju Saga, Urges Him to Seek ‘Honest Friends’ Amid Legal Troubles

President William Ruto has publicly addressed the unfolding troubles facing former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, urging him to distance himself from political allies he claims are exploiting his situation and instead seek genuine advice to salvage his embattled estate. Speaking during a public engagement in Siaya, Ruto offered a blunt assessment of the circumstances surrounding Tuju’s recent disappearance, arrest and ongoing legal challenges. The president suggested that individuals within Tuju’s circle had misled him into actions that may have worsened his situation, including what authorities now believe could have been a staged disappearance.

Ruto argued that rather than receiving meaningful support, Tuju had been surrounded by opportunists seeking political mileage from his predicament. He described such figures as self-serving, claiming they had encouraged decisions that did little to address the core issues facing the former minister.

At the centre of the controversy is Tuju’s brief disappearance, which triggered alarm among his allies and prompted claims that he had been abducted. He later resurfaced, stating that he had gone into hiding after suspecting he was being followed. However, investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have since cast doubt on that account, indicating that the incident may have been misrepresented.

Ruto’s remarks also extended to opposition leaders who had rallied around Tuju during the episode. Without naming individuals directly, the president accused them of amplifying the situation for political gain rather than offering constructive help. He further criticised attempts to link former president Uhuru Kenyatta to the matter, describing it as an unnecessary effort to draw in figures who were not directly involved.

“Tuju needs honest friends and proper advice,” Ruto said, adding that what was required was practical support to help him stabilise his affairs rather than public theatrics.

The president’s comments come against the backdrop of mounting legal and financial pressure on Tuju, particularly over a long-running dispute with the East African Development Bank. The case has seen courts in both Kenya and abroad issue rulings that opened the door for creditors to move against his high-value properties in Karen, including hospitality and commercial assets tied to significant loan obligations.

Earlier in March, a Kenyan court dismissed Tuju’s attempt to halt the takeover of some of these properties, clearing the way for enforcement action. That ruling has been widely seen as a turning point in the dispute, intensifying scrutiny on his financial position and legal strategy. Tuju’s recent arrest and subsequent hospitalisation added another layer of complexity to the situation. He had been expected to appear in court over allegations of providing false information to authorities, but his arraignment was delayed due to health concerns after he reportedly fell ill while in police custody.

The developments have drawn significant political attention, with rival camps offering sharply different interpretations of events. While Tuju’s allies have framed the situation as politically driven, government officials have insisted that the matter is strictly legal and should be handled through established judicial processes. Ruto’s intervention now places the presidency squarely within the narrative, signalling a willingness to comment directly on a case that blends legal disputes, political alliances and personal decision-making.

For Tuju, the immediate focus remains on his health and the unfolding legal proceedings. In the longer term, however, the outcome of his property dispute and the trajectory of his political relationships are likely to determine how the saga ultimately reshapes his public standing.

As the situation continues to evolve, it reflects a broader pattern in Kenya’s political environment, where personal legal battles can quickly intersect with national politics, drawing in senior figures and amplifying their significance