Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, October 7, launched a strong defense against looming allegations to be presented in the National Assembly.
Speculation built throughout the day as the embattled DP announced an evening press conference, leaving many curious about what he would address concerning his impeachment motion.
In a fiery address on national television, Gachagua passionately denied accusations of fraudulently amassing Ksh5.2 billion during his two years in office. He also took aim at Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who had tabled the impeachment motion, and set the record straight on his involvement with the estate of his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua, who passed away in February 2017.
While addressing the matter, the Deputy President offered an emotional apology to his late brother, Nderitu, as he detailed the management of his brother’s estate. He revealed that Nderitu had left behind four properties, including a hotel and a highrise apartment, with instructions in his will for Rigathi to act as executor and sell the assets if necessary to distribute the proceeds.
First, Gachagua confirmed the sale of Olive Garden Hotel for Ksh412 million, with the funds distributed among the beneficiaries. Queens Gate Apartment was also sold to a bank for Ksh600 million, a large portion of which went toward settling debts left by the former Nyeri Governor.
Gachagua shared that the family chose to retain Vipingo Beach Hotel due to its sentimental value, stating it “reminds us of our beloved brother.” He added that the Lang’ata Highrise Apartments remain within the family’s holdings.
“I take this opportunity to ask for forgiveness from my late brother James Nderitu Gachagua that today as your younger brother defends himself he’ll defile your privacy by distributing your will that you wrote in privacy. How unfair, how cruel can you be to a dead man? My dear brother rest in peace and forgive me for having joined politics because were it not for politics, you would not suffer this shame,” he appealed.
In his televised address, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also addressed land acquisition allegations mentioned in the impeachment motion filed by MP Mwengi Mutuse, who claimed the properties were acquired as proceeds of crime.
The DP refuted the claims, clarifying that the Ruguru Kiamarega land parcels were not located in Mathira East, as alleged, but in Mathira West. He further denied the existence of a helipad on the property, stating he purchased the land for Ksh3.5 million and uses it for livestock farming, housing 150 heads of cattle that generate a monthly return of Ksh1.5 million.
Regarding a 40-acre parcel in Kieni Constituency, Nyeri, Gachagua confirmed he purchased the land from Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina.
As for the Meru property, Gachagua disputed the claim that it spans 80 acres, clarifying that it measures 29 acres, where he has built his home to overcome loneliness. He explained that he acquired the land with a loan from Solutions Sacco, which he is still repaying.
“The deputy president, sometimes is a very lonely man. My parents are dead, my brothers are dead and my sisters are married. When I go home, I am many times lonely which is why I decided to look for a land in Meru to be close to relatives. I borrowed money and bought 29 acres in
Meru, the land of my mother,” he told the press.
He refuted claims that he owns land in Nyandarua.
Regarding the cash in his bank accounts, Deputy President Gachagua explained that he inherited 5 percent of his late brother’s estate, amounting to Ksh20 million, which was deposited into his account after some properties were sold.
He further clarified that an additional Ksh20 million, also in his account, was left by Nderitu for their mother, with Gachagua listed as a trustee. Moreover, Ksh16 million was deposited on behalf of his nephews, for whom he also serves as a trustee.
The DP firmly denied accusations that his sons had acquired Treetops Hotel, stating that the property is under a lease from the Kenya Wildlife Service.
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