Senate sends home Deputy President Rigathi Gacjhagua

Nairobi, Kenya -Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday expressed his resolve to challenge the impeachment motion set to begin in the National Assembly on Tuesday 8, October.

In a televised address on Monday evening, he dismissed the charges against him as “baseless and politically motivated”, calling the attempt “illegal.”

Gachagua emphasized his democratic mandate, saying he was  elected by 7.2 million Kenyans, and criticized MPs for turning the process into a “circus.” He vowed to confront the 11 charges led by MP Mwengi Mutuse, labeling the allegations as groundless and damaging to parliamentary integrity.

The DP also countered the graft allegations leveled against him, over his alleged illegal wealth accusation, saying he inherited a good portion of his wealth from his young brother Nderitu Gachagua, former Nyeri Mp. He went ahead to reveal some contents of his late brother’s will.

The National Assembly is set to hear and address the impeachment charges against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday, October 8.

According to Speaker Moses Wetangula, the Deputy President can defend himself in person or be represented by his legal counsel during the session. Ahead of the hearing, the Assembly will gather public input from all 47 counties on Friday, as part of its commitment to public participation in the impeachment process.

Gachagua has been accused of amassing Sh5.2 billion since taking office in August 2022.

He listed several properties, including Olive Garden, Vipingo Beach Resort, Queen’s Gate apartments, and Lang’ata High Rise Flats, as part of the inheritance from the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua.

“Mutuse alleges in the National Assembly that Gachagua acquired these properties after becoming Deputy President in 2022, but they were acquired before my brother’s death. It’s the most embarrassing allegation a Member of Parliament can table before the National Assembly,” he said and confirmed attendance in Parliament to defend himself.

An emotional Gachagua expressed remorse for having to defend his late brother’s legacy, criticizing Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, the sponsor of the impeachment motion, for suggesting that the properties listed under his name as executor are proceeds of corruption.

“Those properties were constructed and operational when my brother was alive. I ask for forgiveness from my late brother for having to disclose your will publicly to defend myself,” Gachagua remarked.

He further explained that the Olive Garden Hotel, which he was accused of owning, was sold for Sh412 million, with Gachagua receiving Sh20 million from the sale, emphasizing that the Queen’s Gate service apartments are also part of his brother’s estate, countering claims that his wealth stems from graft.

“How unfair and cruel is it to attack a deceased person, a man who worked tirelessly for his family, purchasing land and constructing properties to secure a legacy for his children and siblings?” he lamented.

Gachagua acknowledged that his family owns the Vipingo Beach Resort, a sentimental holiday home belonging to his late brother, which has not been sold despite allegations that he acquired it while in office.

“This is the viciousness we are fighting against, even targeting the dead. How cruel and insensitive can we be? This power struggle forces you to attack the deceased to eliminate perceived political enemies,” he retorted.

The impeachment motion, tabled in the National Assembly last week, accuses Gachagua of using his spouse, Dorcas Gachagua, their two sons, Kevin Rigathi and Keith Ikinu, as well as close family members and associates as proxies to amass wealth.

Gachagua said that his children, like any other citizens have the right to invest in their home country adding that none of them does business with the government.

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