Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin said in a press conference that Tuju was inside his residence the whole time, describing it as a "carefully staged disappearance rather than a genuine case of abduction".

Just before his arrest, Tuju had told local station Citizen TV that he had gone into hiding after being followed by an unmarked vehicle.

The former minister has been embroiled in a long-running legal battle contesting the auction and takeover of his properties in Nairobi over an unsettled bank loan.

Amin said: "The deliberate conduct by Raphael Tuju appears to be a calculated effort to deceive the public to generate unwarranted sympathy and to undermine the integrity of the National Police Service."

He added that the police view "the provision of false information to authorities as a very, very serious offence".

Tuju told Citizen that on realising he was being trailed, he had branched off onto a road where it would be more difficult to follow him. Once he had shaken off the other vehicle, he then abandoned his car which he knew they would be looking for.

He added: "My family is very traumatised... and I consider myself blessed because there are many Kenyans in unmarked graves," he said, thanking Kenyans and opposition politicians who had stood by him.

He mentioned other Kenyans who had been abducted or killed in the past, explaining that this was why he had not sought police help and instead went into hiding.

Earlier, the police had said they were investigating his reported disappearance and appealed to the public for information.

His family had said the ex-minister and his driver had gone missing as they were on their way to an evening radio interview on Saturday.

Police said his vehicle was found abandoned with its hazard lights on along a road in Karen, an upmarket suburb of the capital, Nairobi. They said they could not reach him as his phone was switched off.

The former minister, who served in several government roles, recently alleged that dozens of police officers had raided his property in Karen, ejected his staff and security guards and taken control of the business premises.

He claimed that powerful officials were behind attempts to seize his property. The government has not commented on the allegations.

The court dispute involves lenders seeking to recover debts of over $15m (£11m) tied to properties owned by Tuju's company, Dari Limited. He has lodged multiple unsuccessful legal challenges to stop the auction, and recently obtained orders barring the transfer of the property until his latest application is heard.

Tuju's disappearance prompted allegations by prominent opposition figures that the ex-minister may have been abducted.

Governor James Orengo alleged Tuju had been "kidnapped".

"Let's pray for Tuju because he has gone through a lot," he said.

Lawmaker Otiende Amollo said they were pressing the authorities for answers.

"We are urging the police to do all that is within their power to trace and protect him. We abhor the possibility that there are people who can abduct someone of [his] stature," he said.

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