Oburu revealed that President William Ruto shared documents showing Tuju’s land had been auctioned publicly in February 2025. The property had been targeted by the East African Development Bank (EADB) to recover a 2015 loan.
The senator said he personally sought the president’s intervention after learning police had surrounded Tuju’s Karen estate. Oburu explained he called Ruto while on a trip in Mombasa to clarify the situation.
According to Oburu, Ruto forwarded him a photocopy of the title deed showing the new owner who acquired the plot during the auction. He emphasized that he acted promptly upon learning about the crisis.
“The president told me the story is long. Tuju had met him, discussed with the buyer, but now insists the plot should be returned without paying the auctioned amount,” Oburu said.
Oburu added that Ruto advised Tuju the only way to recover the property was to pay the sum the buyer had used at the auction. Tuju, however, reportedly resisted the suggestion, wanting only the title deed returned.
The controversy comes as Tuju remains hospitalised at The Karen Hospital and faces impending arrest. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alleges he staged his abduction on March 21, complicating the ongoing property and legal drama.
Oburu stressed that he had not been silent on the matter, noting that he acted privately to leverage his closeness to the president for Tuju’s benefit. He said the public debate has misrepresented his efforts.
The saga underscores the challenges politicians face when navigating personal loyalty, legal processes, and public perception. Tuju’s insistence on reclaiming the property without settling the auctioned price remains the crux of the dispute.
Observers say the matter highlights tensions between political alliances and legal accountability.
How Tuju resolves the issue, either by paying the auctioned sum or pursuing alternative legal remedies, will determine the next chapter in this high-profile case.
The Karen property saga continues to attract attention as stakeholders wait to see if Tuju will comply with legal and financial requirements, or if the matter will escalate further in the courts and political corridors.