Nairobi County senator Edwin Sifuna, a candidate under the Linda Mwananchi movement, has raised alarm over the mysterious disappearance of Raphael Tuju, who has reportedly been missing for over 24 hours.
In a strongly worded statement, Sifuna urged the public not to dismiss the matter as a private issue, warning that it reflects a broader and troubling pattern in how disputes are handled in the country. He linked Tuju’s case to what he described as the “mambo ni matatu” approach – an alleged coercive tactic used to resolve commercial disagreements through intimidation and force.
Sifuna further contextualized the situation by referencing previous controversial incidents, including disputes involving powerful business figures such as Rai and the deportation of Chinese businessmen tied to a KSh 30 billion tender. According to him, these cases point to a systemic problem where state machinery is misused to influence outcomes in high-stakes commercial conflicts.
He accused the government of operating as a “rogue regime” that deploys underhanded methods, warning that such actions severely undermine investor confidence. “No serious investor would risk their capital in an environment where the rule of law is uncertain,” Sifuna stated, adding that this climate contributes to capital flight and rising unemployment among Kenyan youth.
Emphasizing constitutional values, Sifuna called for adherence to the rule of law, noting that governance should not be driven by “shiny distractions” but by accountability and justice. He concluded by demanding that the state, whose primary duty is to protect its citizens, must urgently account for Tuju’s whereabouts.
