Kisumu County Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, has publicly defended former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju while questioning the manner in which authorities have handled the businessman’s ongoing loan dispute.
In a statement shared on his socials, Nyong’o raised concerns about the conduct of institutions involved in the matter, warning that actions perceived to bypass due process could undermine public confidence in the rule of law.
The governor described Tuju as a long-serving public figure who has held senior leadership positions in the country.
“Hon. Raphael Tuju is a former senior public servant who has served this country at the highest levels of leadership,” Nyong’o said.
He added that regardless of the merits of the commercial dispute, Tuju should not be subjected to treatment that appears humiliating or unnecessarily embarrassing in the public eye.
“Whatever the merits of the commercial dispute at hand, he is neither a fugitive nor a criminal deserving of treatment that subjects him to humiliation or unnecessary public embarrassment.”
Nyong’o particularly questioned the involvement of uniformed police officers in matters he described as civil in nature.
According to the governor, debt recovery and commercial disputes should be handled through established legal channels, rather than what he termed as coercive displays of state power.
“The use of uniformed police officers whose primary duty is to maintain law and order to facilitate actions that seemingly bypass established legal processes is troubling,” the statement read.
He further criticised what he described as nocturnal operations in handling such matters, arguing that such actions raise legitimate public concerns about legality and transparency.
Nyong’o emphasised that Kenya’s democratic journey had been built on sacrifices aimed at protecting civil liberties and strengthening the rule of law.
He warned that institutions responsible for safeguarding justice must act with restraint and legality to maintain the credibility of the country’s governance systems.
“Those entrusted with public authority must exercise it with restraint, legality and respect for due process.”
The Kisumu governor also cautioned that actions perceived as arbitrary could erode public trust and investor confidence, both of which are critical for economic growth.
According to him, Kenya’s ambition to position itself among the world’s leading economies depends heavily on institutions that inspire confidence rather than fear.
“Investor confidence, public trust, and the broader ambition of positioning Kenya among the world’s leading economies cannot flourish where arbitrariness and excess appear to prevail.”
Nyong’o concluded by stressing that every Kenyan deserves fair treatment under the law, regardless of their political or social status.
He invoked a line from the Kenyan national anthem to underscore his point.
“Ultimately, every Kenyan—regardless of status, creed or political inclination—deserves fair and just treatment under the law,” he said, adding that the national pledge “Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi” should remain a guiding principle rather than mere words.
