Covering 6.9 acres of beautifully maintained lawns, cobblestone paths, peaceful green areas, gazebos, and tall trees, the location was a top choice for luxury occasions, gourmet meals, and elite social events.
Its stone-constructed buildings, welcoming vibe for families, and large meeting spaces received high praise, with the menu highlighting freshly supplied meats from Naivasha and Nanyuki in dishes like grilled meats, beef steaks, lamb cuts, and skewers.
That era ended abruptly in October 2024 when the renowned site was sold at auction for KSh 450 million.
The transaction, handled by Garam Investment Auctioneers on October 1, concluded former Cabinet Secretary without Portfolio Raphael Tuju's ownership of one of his most prominent commercial holdings, following a prolonged debt conflict with the East African Development Bank (EADB).
The Origins of the Trouble: A 2015 Facility and Unfulfilled Plans
The saga started in April 2015 when Tuju's firm, Dari Limited, obtained a financing package from EADB initially worth about $9.3 million (roughly KSh 1.2 billion then).
The money, released in stages, was intended to purchase valuable land in Karen including a vintage Victorian house and build premium developments: stylish cottages, senior living residences, a health retreat (Entim Sidai), and income-producing apartments.
Tuju aimed to create an environmentally conscious hospitality and property venture that capitalized on Karen's historic appeal and vistas of the Ngong Hills. Forecasts suggested solid profits.
Yet the initiative faltered. Tuju has consistently argued that the bank failed to provide the next installment of KSh 294 million even after conditions were met, halting progress and income generation.
Accumulated interest ballooned the obligation into a multi-billion-shilling burden, now surpassing KSh 4.5 billion including fees and charges.
The disagreement moved through Kenyan tribunals, the UK High Court (which delivered a 2019 summary decision), the Court of Appeal, and even the Supreme Court. Several judgments confirmed EADB's authority to seize the mortgaged assets.
The 2024 Sale: Dari Goes Under the Hammer
By September 2024, notices advertised auctions for Dari Coffee and Garden Restaurant along with Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary.
On October 1, Dari Tuju's main operating venture was purchased for KSh 450 million by an unnamed party.
The sale followed years of court fights, ending Tuju's direct stake in the spot that previously welcomed Kenya's prominent figures.
Speculation circulated (later disproven) that President William Ruto had quietly purchased it, but the new owner's identity stays unknown.
Ongoing Situation: The Empire Faces Pressure in 2026
The Dari disposal was merely the start. As of March 2026, the struggle persists regarding Tuju's leftover assets in Karen.
On March 9, 2026, High Court Judge J.W.W. Mong’are rejected an emergency request from Dari Limited and Tuju to block the sale of three critical sites: Entim Sidai Wellness Sanctuary, Tamarind Karen (also known as sections of Dari Business Park), and related plots.
The judge determined that the constitutional claims were efforts to revisit issues already resolved by superior courts.
Reports emerged of security forces conducting a nighttime raid on the premises soon after the verdict, leading to widespread videos of Tuju challenging the entrants at his entrance. Tuju labeled the actions as “jungle justice” and illegal attempts to remove him.
Nevertheless, on March 13, 2026, Tuju and Dari Limited obtained a brief reprieve: the High Court permitted them to pursue an appeal of the March 9 outcome and is considering a suspension of enforcement while the appeal is heard.
Tuju asserts he tried to settle payments and accuses the bank of bad faith. He has further claimed that a “highly placed individual” approached him with a purchase proposal for the assets, which he turned down.
A Built-from-Scratch Legacy in Jeopardy
At 67, Raphael Tuju advanced from 1980s–90s broadcasting to political roles (as MP for Rarieda and minister under Presidents Kibaki and Kenyatta) while steadily acquiring prime land in Karen and Upper Hill.
The Dari initiative marked his shift toward premium lodging and retirement communities a “financed vision” now threatened with complete downfall.
With an Upper Hill asset also offered as extra collateral, EADB supported by Knight Frank appraisers and Garam Auctioneers presses forward with its collection efforts.
Tuju maintains that the withheld construction financing doomed the endeavor from the outset, whereas the bank cites non-payment and unfulfilled duties.
As the Court of Appeal gets ready to review the matter, Kenya observes a warning story of aspiration, development funding, and the harsh math of borrowing.
What started as an ambitious hospitality network amid Karen’s verdant landscapes now teeters on the edge—with the KSh 450 million Dari sale acting as a dramatic first scene in a continuing drama.
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