- Raphael Tuju penned an open letter to CJ Martha Koome, condemning the Supreme Court judges for openly discussing ongoing cases, labeling their behavior as immature.
- Tuju asserted his claim over several billion Ksh property holdings, claiming he obtained them through legitimate efforts and financial borrowings during his time as a journalist in the 1980s.
- He encouraged Koome to establish a tribunal aimed at revoking the Senior Counsel designation from two attorneys, underlining the judiciary's responsibility as the guardian of constitutional rights.
- Tuju's legal dispute with EADB originates from a loan default in 2015, where the bank aims to recoup $9.3 million related to the acquisition of a 20-acre plot.
Didacus Malowa, a reporter for INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.co.ke, comes with more than three years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.
Nairobi - Ex-Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju penned an open letter addressed to Chief Justice Martha Koome, objecting to the behavior of Supreme Court of Kenya (SCORK) judges who engaged in discussions about cases currently awaiting their judgment as well as issues under scrutiny by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
In a strongly worded letter viewed by INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.co.ke Tuju, entangled in a legal dispute with the East African Development Bank (EADB) regarding his Kshs 5 billion Karen luxury property, criticized the SCORK judges for publicly discussing ongoing court cases.
"In this open letter, I am addressing this issue now because certain Supreme Court of Kerala (S.C.O.K) judges are being quite vocal in the public sphere, making declarations and actions within the judiciary as though they are beyond reproach. These individuals are openly debating matters currently pending before the High Court and the Judicial Service Commission (J.S.C.). Given their behavior regarding cases that impact people like myself, who are not endowed with such authority, one must wonder what recourse we have," the letter states partly.
Tuju, who employed a widely-used Gen Z slogan "wacha niongee initoke," criticized the SCORK judges, labeling their post-petition remarks as immature and brimming with arrogance.
I want to make this clear from the outset: 'initoke,' nothing showcased the immaturity and arrogance of the Supreme Court of Kenya more than the choice of words employed in their decision rejecting the 2022 Presidential petition.
The SCoK retains the authority to render decisions according to their discretion, and we must all inevitably abide by these rulings. However, considering how polarized the nation was, particularly during times when the United States saw significant division between the South and North, our Supreme Court could have opted for more diplomatic terms instead of using phrases like "hot air" and "wild goose chase," he noted.
How did Tuju come into possession of his properties?
Tuju, who previously served as an Rarieda Member of Parliament and is also a renowned journalist, disclosed that he acquired his upscale properties during his twenties while working as a news anchor and producer.
He informed the CJ that he acquired his multi-billion-dollar property through legitimate earnings.
To ensure clarity for Generation Z readers who might come across this open letter and wonder about how I came to own such substantial parcels of land, let me briefly clarify. I obtained my initial plot in Karen approximately 39 years ago, back when I was a young journalist in my twenties serving as both a documentary producer and a television news anchor," explained Tuju.
Tuju, owner of the Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary and Tamarind Karen and Dari Business Park, mentioned that he acquired these properties using funds obtained through loans.
"When I was younger, I took out loans to purchase 2.5 acres when an acre could still be acquired for one hundred thousand shillings. Over time, I continued borrowing funds from the National Bank of Kenya and Kenya Commercial Bank, which allowed me to acquire additional land. These very properties are now being targeted by numerous opportunists who are attempting to seize them at all costs," he said.
Tuju also maintained that all his Karen properties were lawfully acquired and asserted that none of his multibillion-dollar assets are derived from illicit activities.
"None of my Karen lands are grabbed public land. Neither is any of them bought from proceeds of crime of money stolen from public coffers despite having been a senior public servant at some stages of my life. Being politically exposed, I am awake to the fact that I can easily become a victim of mass media and public lynching when people are not able to understand the sources of my properties," the letter adds.
Tuju informed Koome that he has sent three letters to her office and emphasized the need for her to establish a tribunal to remove two well-known attorneys from their position as Senior Counsel.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the Judiciary must be upheld as the ultimate safeguard for protecting the constitutional rights of every citizen.
What are the legal disputes involving Tuju?
Tuju's conflict with EADB started in 2015 when the bank provided Tuju with $9.3 million to acquire a 20-acre plot meant for residential and hospitality projects.
The bank asserts that the previous customer failed to meet their obligations regarding the loan, which has resulted in an unresolved legal dispute.
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