The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved charges against allies and aides of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing them of involvement in financing protests. In a letter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, led by Amin Mohamed, the ODPP stated that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges.
The individuals in question will face charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, in violation of Section 393 of the Penal Code.
“I write with reference to the above subject matter and your letter reference DCI/IB/SEC/4/4/1/VOL XXXIII/I dated September 24, 2024. The Inquiry file was placed before the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and directions. Upon careful perusal, the DPP has directed that there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspects with the offence of conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 393 of the Penal Code,” the letter read.
“In addition, a separate inquiry file should be opened for money laundering and financial crimes-related offences.”
The letter, signed by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, follows recommendations from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) that politicians allied with Deputy President Gachagua be charged in connection with recent anti-government protests.
The DCI had interrogated all the suspects and, based on their findings, recommended charges for various offences. Some of them are also set to face charges for soliciting or inciting others to commit crimes, in violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code.
Deputy President Gachagua has expressed reservations about the DCI’s decision to propose charges against MPs allied to him, along with his aides. In a statement released shortly after reports surfaced that the DCI had recommended charges against two MPs, two of his advisors, and three staff members, Gachagua dismissed the move as politically motivated.
“The use of the criminal justice system to manage politics is an outdated political strategy that was used in the past,” he said.
“I am embarrassed that we are back to where we were. Harassment of my Office staff and Members of Parliament perceived to be close to me, has been going on for the last two months,” he said.
