Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called on former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju to issue a public apology following allegations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) that he staged his own abduction.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News on Monday night, Cherargei said the incident caused unnecessary anxiety across the country, warning that such actions could undermine public trust in genuine cases of abduction.
“When I heard that Tuju had been abducted, I personally called the Inspector General of Police to find out,” Cherargei said.
“After seeing what he had gone through in the matter of Dari Property Limited and the bank, I was worried, only for him to resurface one day while he was being hosted in Kiambu.”
The senator was referring to Tuju’s recent disappearance over the weekend, which sparked concern after his family reported him missing and his vehicle was found abandoned in Karen, Nairobi.
However, the DCI later disputed claims of an abduction, stating that preliminary investigations pointed to a staged incident, a claim that has intensified public debate.
Cherargei insisted that Tuju owes Kenyans an explanation and apology, arguing that the incident placed emotional strain on the public and security agencies.
“Raphael Tuju should issue a public apology. You can imagine the anxiety in the country,” he said. “As he goes to court, the judiciary should know that leaders will self-abduct to seek sympathy.”
At the same time, the senator sought to distance himself from any support for unlawful arrests or enforced disappearances, noting that he has personally experienced such incidents.
“I do not agree with abductions; I have personally been abducted by the police, and I do not champion this at all. People should be summoned legally,” Cherargei added.
Tuju, who resurfaced on Monday, had earlier claimed he went into hiding after suspecting he was being trailed by unknown individuals.
However, investigators have challenged that account, citing inconsistencies in his movements and communication.
The case continues to draw political attention, with leaders divided over whether Tuju’s actions were justified or amounted to a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
Authorities have since indicated that providing false information to law enforcement is a serious offence under Kenyan law.
As investigations proceed, Tuju is expected to record a comprehensive statement with detectives, with the outcome likely to shape both legal and political discourse around the incident.