Lawyer Willis Evans Otieno has expressed serious concerns regarding property rights and access to justice in Kenya, particularly in light of the recent situation involving former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju.
In a post on his official X account during the early hours of March 16, 2026, Otieno emphasized that Tuju’s predicament is not merely an isolated case but indicative of a pervasive systemic issue affecting ordinary citizens throughout the nation.
“The challenges faced by Raphael Tuju illustrate a wider pattern experienced by many Kenyans, where powerful entities, protected by opaque authority, infringe upon people’s property and rights with alarming impunity,” Otieno remarked.
Tuju has found himself embroiled in a prominent property dispute that has garnered public attention and ignited discussions about the safeguarding of property rights and the role of state institutions in resolving such conflicts.
Otieno cautioned that for the rule of law to hold significance, it must uniformly apply to all citizens, irrespective of their social standing or visibility.
“If the law holds any value, it must safeguard every Kenyan equally, not just those whose cases capture public interest. Property rights, access to justice, and the dignity of lawful ownership cannot hinge on an individual’s ability to mount a defense or attract media attention,” he asserted.
The lawyer further underscored that justice should not remain a privilege for the powerful or well-connected; rather, it must be a constitutional guarantee available to all Kenyans.
“Justice and humanity should not be exclusive privileges. They must be rights enjoyed by every Kenyan,” Otieno concluded.
His remarks have rekindled national discourse surrounding land ownership disputes, legal protections for property owners, and the obstacles many citizens encounter while defending their rights against powerful interests.
In the unfolding drama, tensions escalated on March 14, 2026, when over 50 police officers, reportedly from the Rapid Response Unit, descended upon Dari Business Park in Karen, a property long owned by Tuju.
The officers cordoned off the compound, evicted Tuju and several others, and secured the gates.
This dispute originates from a debt case involving Tuju and the East African Development Bank, stemming from a loan of Ksh943.9 million intended for the acquisition and development of commercial units for sale in Nairobi.
The loan has since defaulted, with interest and additional costs accumulating to approximately Ksh 2.2 billion.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various leaders across the country, including Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who criticized the use of police in a protracted commercial dispute involving Tuju.
In a statement issued on March 15, 2026, Nyong’o questioned the actions of authorities after police officers entered Tuju’s property in Karen during the early hours of Saturday.
He raised significant concerns about the efficacy of institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law in the country.
“The recent handling of Hon. Raphael Tuju’s loan dispute and commercial dealings prompts serious inquiries into the conduct of institutions tasked with maintaining the rule of law in our nation,” Nyong’o stated.
