Ruto tells Tuju to find honest friends, not political scavengers

President William Ruto has persisted with his criticism of the opposition, urging former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju to seek “genuine friends” rather than permitting himself to be exploited by individuals he described as “scavengers” and fraudsters from opposition circles. Addressing the ongoing situation involving Tuju during a foundation stone laying ceremony for an affordable housing project in Sori, Nyatike West, Migori County, President Ruto made direct comments. “They are misleading Tuju. They are telling him to hide in his bedroom and then claim he was abducted. Can you imagine that? Tuju needs sincere friends,” Ruto stated. The President cautioned that certain opposition figures, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang’i, Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua, and Just Muturi, have no genuine interest in assisting Tuju with his problems. Instead, he accused them of exploiting Tuju’s personal financial challenges and creating fabricated scenarios for minimal political advantage. Ruto stressed that Tuju should receive straightforward counsel to preserve his assets rather than being drawn into pointless political spectacles, including false abduction claims. “Tuju requires sincere guidance. He does not require political scavengers who are capitalizing on his hardships. Those people are seeking fame through Tuju’s troubles,” the president stated. Ruto’s comments follow the weekend incident where Tuju’s vehicle was discovered abandoned in Karen, leading his family and opposition leaders to allege he had been kidnapped by government agents. On Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) clarified that Tuju had in fact been concealing himself in his own residence. Subsequently, he was apprehended at Karen Police Station and transported to the hospital due to deteriorating health conditions. On Tuesday, the former Cabinet Secretary sought intervention from the High Court to prevent his arrest and detention. In an urgent application submitted in Nairobi, Tuju accuses the Inspector General of Police, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of attempting to unlawfully arrest and detain him without formal accusations. According to court documents, Tuju is currently admitted at Karen Hospital, where he continues under police protection despite not having been formally charged in court. The situation concerning Tuju centers on a long-standing debt dispute involving billions of shillings through his company, Dari Limited, which has resulted in the potential auction of valuable properties in Karen, including the well-known Tamarind Restaurant complex.