Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has pleaded not guilty to charges of providing false information to a public officer, following his appearance before the Kibera Law Courts on Tuesday.

Tuju was arraigned after a summons issued by Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Atambo, requiring him to take plea in a case that stems from events surrounding his widely publicized disappearance earlier this year.

According to court documents, the charges are linked to an alleged incident that occurred on March 21, 2026, at Entim Sidai Spa and Wellness Sanctuary in Karen, within Lang’ata Sub-county. Prosecutors claim that Tuju reported to a police officer from Karen Police Station that he had been followed by unknown individuals before being forcibly taken.

The prosecution argues that the information relayed was knowingly false and was intended to prompt action from law enforcement authorities. They further allege that the report triggered unnecessary police response based on claims that could not be substantiated.

When presented before the court, Tuju denied the accusations and formally entered a not guilty plea. Through his legal counsel, he applied to be released on bond, emphasizing that the offence in question is a misdemeanour. His lawyer also cited Tuju’s extensive career in public service as grounds for leniency, stating that he is not a flight risk and would comply with all court requirements.

The case has drawn significant public attention, largely due to the circumstances surrounding Tuju’s earlier disappearance, which had raised alarm and speculation across the country. At the time, concerns had been raised over his safety, prompting calls for investigations into what appeared to be a possible abduction.

However, subsequent inquiries by authorities reportedly cast doubt on the initial claims. Investigators are said to have found inconsistencies in the sequence of events leading up to the alleged incident, including gaps in surveillance records and conflicting witness accounts from the location where Tuju was last seen.

These findings formed the basis of the charges now before the court, with prosecutors maintaining that the alleged false report may have misled security agencies and diverted critical resources.

The matter was handled by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Maryanne Mwangi and Principal Prosecution Counsel Micheal Mutune. The case will be mentioned on 15th April 2026 for further directions.