Tuju writes to IG Kanja over ‘illegal’ police occupation of Karen business park

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has written to Inspector General Douglas Kanja protesting what he describes as an unlawful police occupation of Dari Business Park in Karen, Nairobi.

In a letter dated March 19, 2026, Tuju claims that more than 100 police officers raided the premises in the early hours of March 13 without a court order and have remained stationed there for nearly a week.

Nearly a week later, he says, the officers remain stationed at the property without offering any documentation or explanation for their continued stay.

“In the middle of the night of 13th March 2026, a contingent of over 100 policemen raided Dari Business Park with an inordinate number of police vehicles. They had no court order,” Tuju states.

“There is no documentation or explanation from any police officer. Not even a verbal explanation. We are witnessing an amazing ‘Hollywood playing deaf’ response.”

Tuju raises concerns over the conduct of the officers during the operation, alleging that some police vehicles had concealed identification details.

He further claims that several officers wore balaclavas and appeared uncomfortable with the assignment.

“Some of the police vehicles that came for the 2:40 a.m. raid removed their vehicle number plates and identification of the police station they originated from. I have evidence that I am ready to share with you,” he says.

 “I felt so sorry for these young people; many of them were certainly ashamed of the assignment and cowered for cover as we filmed them. They are not robots. They knew they were acting outside the law.”

The former CS also alleges ethnic divisions within the police ranks during the operation, warning that such trends could undermine national cohesion.

“The ethnicization of our police, especially in profiling of those being deployed, is going down a very slippery road,” he cautions.

Tuju further claims that tensions among officers were heightened by the presence of firearms and allegations that some officers were under the influence of intoxicating substances.

“With the tension in the police being palpable, and with many guns on site in the middle of the night… I worried for their lives just as for my life,” he states.

Tuju underscored that the ongoing operation has effectively paralysed activities at the business park, which hosts at least 24 tenants, including the well-known Tamarind Restaurant Karen.

According to Tuju, businesses have been unable to operate, with professionals such as lawyers locked out of their offices and denied access to critical files, laptops, and client documents.

“Your officers have been occupying the Dari Business Park for the last 6 days. The 24 tenants continue to incur huge losses. Professionals like lawyers have not been able to remove vital files and laptops from their offices,” he notes.

While maintaining that he respects the role of the police, Tuju urged the IG to allow tenants access to their premises to retrieve essential items, even as the police maintain control of the property in a bid to restore normalcy at the business park.

“While you have all the brute power of force to stop me personally from gaining access, the tenants running legitimate businesses should be allowed to get items like laptops from the offices,” he appeals.

The letter was copied to the Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.