The planned auction of former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju’s 20-acre Entim Sidai property in Karen did not take place on Tuesday after none of the people who attended met the requirements to participate as bidders.
The auction had been scheduled for 11am by Garam Auctioneers, which had advertised the sale of the property after court orders that had previously protected it from disposal lapsed.
Tuju was present at the property as he waited to witness the auction, but the exercise did not begin at the appointed time.
Tuju questioned a Garam Auctioneers official over the delay, pointing out that the auction had been announced for 11am and asking why it had not started.
The official explained that the auction could not proceed because none of the people who had attended had qualified to bid.
According to the auctioneer, prospective bidders were required to have a deposit to demonstrate that they were serious about taking part in the sale.
Tuju then sought clarification on whether the failure to attract a qualified bidder meant the auction had been formally closed or whether the auctioneers could reopen the exercise later if another interested buyer arrived.
The auctioneer said enough time had been given for prospective bidders to come forward and confirmed that the exercise would be closed.
The failure to attract a qualified bidder leaves the immediate future of the property uncertain as Tuju continues to face a long-running legal and financial dispute with the East African Development Bank (EADB).Garam Auctioneers had advertised the sale of Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary after Tuju allegedly failed to meet conditions set by the High Court in May.
The court had ordered him to deposit Ksh.50 million as security in an ongoing dispute with EADB.
The auction notice published earlier this month identified the property as LR No. 11320/3. It measures approximately 8.164 hectares, equivalent to 20.2 acres, and features a colonial-style residence with nine bedrooms, a two-bedroom bungalow, staff quarters and a lawn tennis court.
It also has other structures and land set aside for a proposed residential development consisting of 12 standalone villas.
The auction process followed orders issued by High Court Justice Moses Ado on May 21. The judge temporarily protected Tuju from the sale of Entim Sidai while his dispute was being considered, but attached conditions to the protection.
Tuju was required to deposit Ksh.50 million in a joint interest-earning account operated by lawyers representing the parties within 30 days.
He was also directed to file and serve the record of his appeal within 60 days.The court stated that failure to comply with either requirement would automatically remove the orders protecting the property from disposal.
The dispute between Tuju, his companies and EADB dates back several years and centres on a loan facility advanced in 2015. EADB says it advanced Tuju, through Dari Limited, about USD 9.2 million, which was later defaulted on.The bank has argued that the amount owed, including interest and penalties, increased to about Ksh.1.9 billion.
It has also maintained that courts in Kenya and the United Kingdom have supported its efforts to recover the money.
Several properties in Karen have been caught up in the dispute, including Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary, Tamarind Karen and Dari Business Park.In March 2026, the High Court struck out Tuju’s amended plaint and lifted interim orders that had restricted EADB and its agents from dealing with the disputed properties.
The Court of Appeal had also previously upheld the bank’s position, saying Tuju was “merely hanging onto technicalities” in an effort to avoid obligations linked to the guarantee.Dari Business Park, another property involved in the dispute, has already been sold. In May, the High Court ruled that it could not issue stay orders over the property because the sale had already been completed and ownership transferred.
Justice Moses Otieno held that once the sale was completed, Tuju’s equity of redemption over the property had been extinguished.
The judge said damages remained the available remedy for an aggrieved chargor.
Entim Sidai remains at the centre of the dispute, with Tuesday’s failed auction adding another development to the lengthy legal battle between Tuju and EADB.
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