Raphael Tuju's hospitalisation and parallel High Court battle: What we know

avdeltanews@gmail.com

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju was on Tuesday rushed to hospital from a police cell after his condition deteriorated, dramatically escalating a case that has split the country between claims of abduction and accusations of deception.

Mr Tuju, who was being held at Karen Police Station, fell ill while in custody, forcing doctors to attend to him inside the station before he could be taken to court.

According to his legal team, his condition quickly turned critical. His blood sugar dropped to dangerously low levels, prompting emergency intervention.

Doctors were called into the cell, where he was placed on oxygen as his health worsened.

Lawyers told the court that despite earlier requests, Mr Tuju was only transferred to hospital after sustained pressure, by which time his condition had deteriorated significantly.

“No charge is properly before the court to warrant the actions taken against him,” said Kalonzo Musyoka, who is leading Tuju’s legal team.

Tuju skips court as health worsens

The medical emergency came just hours before Mr Tuju was due to appear at the Kibera Law Courts to take plea.

He was instead rushed to Karen Hospital, missing the court session entirely.

The court directed that he be given full and proper medical attention, with the matter set for determination on Wednesday.

His lawyers including Ndegwa Njiru,  Eugene Wamalwa and Dan Maanzo argued that his treatment in custody violated constitutional rights of arrested persons, including access to timely medical care and protection of non-derogable rights.

Parallel High Court battle

At the same time, Mr Tuju has moved to the High Court seeking anticipatory bail, arguing that continued police action is unlawful and that officers should be withdrawn from his hospital bedside. He was granted an anticipatory bail of Sh200,000.

Police: ‘No abduction, this was staged’

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations, led by Mohamed Amin, has rejected claims that Mr Tuju was abducted.

Investigators say he staged his own disappearance, switched off his phone, and misled authorities.

He is expected to face charges of giving false information to police.

Mr Tuju has denied the allegations. He says he went into hiding after being followed by an unmarked vehicle, fearing for his life.

How the saga unfolded 

• Mr Tuju was reported missing over the weekend
• His car was found abandoned in Karen with hazard lights on
• Political allies raised alarm over a possible abduction
• Police later declared it a “self-abduction” case
• Mr Tuju resurfaced--and was arrested immediately
• He later fell ill in custody and was rushed to hospital

A country divided

The case has triggered a sharp split:

• Police: A criminal case of deception

• Allies: A violation of rights and due process.