Tuju Confronts Auctioneers After They Try to Stop His Press Briefing

Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju engaged in a heated exchange with auctioneers in Karen on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after attempting to address the press outside an auctioneering firm’s premises.

The confrontation began when auction personnel instructed Tuju to move his press briefing away from the property. Tuju firmly rejected the directive, asserting his right to speak in what he described as a public space.

“You can threaten many people, but not me, you understand. This is a public space; you have no right to march me out of this place. I am doing an interview. Behave,” Tuju told the auctioneers.

The exchange de-escalated after the auctioneering team relented, allowing the former Cabinet Secretary to proceed with his press address. Tuju informed journalists that he had arrived at the location to witness the scheduled public auction of his property, noting that no prospective bidders had placed bids by 11:00 AM, effectively halting the day’s auction process.

Debt Recovery Meets Legislative Reform

The attempt to auction Tuju’s Karen property stems from a multi-billion shilling loan dispute with the East African Development Bank (EADB).

Tuju’s real estate company, Dari Limited, took a $9.3 million (approx. KSh 1.2 billion) loan from the East African Development Bank (EADB) in 2015 to construct a commercial property in Karen, Nairobi. Following defaulted repayments and accrued interest/penalties, the debt expanded to over KSh 4.5 billion, prompting EADB to instruct auctioneers to seize and sell Tuju’s prime Karen properties, including Dari Business Park and Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary.

As the regional lender attempts to execute recovery proceedings over defaulted credit facilities, Tuju has taken the fight to Parliament, raising fundamental questions about the bank’s statutory powers and oversight mechanisms in Kenya.

Tuju’s confrontation with auctioneers follows his appearance before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning on Tuesday, July 28. During that session, Tuju delivered testimony arguing that the proposed East African Development Bank (Amendment) Bill, 2026, fails to close critical legal gaps governing how the regional lender operates within domestic borders.

Tuju has repeatedly challenged EADB’s enforcement actions in court, arguing that regional development banks operate with wide immunities that leave domestic borrowers with limited legal protection or oversight when disputes arise.

In response to Tuju’s submissions, lawmakers resolved to summon Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi alongside EADB management to brief Parliament on the bank’s operational practices before concluding their review of the legislation.

What the EADB (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Proposes

Sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, the draft legislation seeks to reform the East African Development Bank Act (Cap. 493A):

• Mandatory Parliamentary Approval: The bill requires explicit approval from the National Assembly before the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary can authorize disbursements from the Consolidated Fund to the EADB.

• Closing Executive Discretion: Under current law (Section 2), the Treasury CS retains unilateral authority to commit and release public funds to the bank without prior legislative scrutiny.

• Strengthening Oversight: The proposed amendments aim to bring EADB operations into alignment with constitutional provisions on public finance and transparency.

While EADB continues its recovery actions in the courts and through auctioneers, Parliament’s scrutiny of the EADB Amendment Bill highlights a broader legislative push to tighten financial oversight and accountability for regional banking institutions operating in Kenya.

The post Tuju Confronts Auctioneers After They Try to Stop His Press Briefing appeared first on Nairobi Wire.