The luxurious Dari Coffee and Garden Restaurant, owned by former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju, was auctioned on October 1 for KSh 450 million, Wamuzi News has confirmed.
Located in the affluent Karen suburb of Nairobi, the 6. 9-acre property was a preferred venue for upscale events and fine dining, celebrated for its meticulously maintained gardens and ample conference facilities. However, Tuju has encountered difficulties in the ongoing legal battle.
The auction, conducted by Garam Auctioneers, attracted eager buyers seeking a piece of the once-thriving establishment.
“This particular property was successfully sold on October 1, 2024, for SH450 million,” a source familiar with the sale agreement who witnessed the auction disclosed in an interview on Sunday.
Wamuzi News could not ascertain the identity of the new owner.
It remains uncertain whether the former CS will move to court to contest the sale.
In addition to this forced sale, Tuju is working to protect another valuable asset: the Garden Restaurant and Entim Sidai.
The loss of the Dari property is a major setback for the former Jubilee Secretary General, who owns extensive commercial real estate in the upscale Karen Estate, currently involved in a prolonged six-year court battle.
The former Rarieda MP is striving to retain his multibillion estate in Karen.
Tuju, who served in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet, is entangled in legal disputes.
The issues date back to 2015 when the East African Development Bank (EADB) granted Tuju $9. 3 million for the purchase of a 20-acre parcel of land intended for housing and hospitality development. The bank asserts that the former customer defaulted on the loan, resulting in the current court case.
Tuju argues that the bank has obstructed multiple settlement proposals he has put forward. He contends in court that his properties are presently valued at sh4. 2 billion, surpassing the bank’s claims.
The conflict arises from a loan agreement established in 2015, with cases awaiting resolution in the Supreme Court. Tuju is contesting the enforcement of a UK judgment that determined he breached the agreement, while simultaneously disputing the bank’s claims in the High Court.
