Gachagua Loses Frozen Ksh200 Million To Govt
The court found that the millions were frozen by the State in his bank accounts after it was found to amount to proceeds of corruption.
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United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has been ordered by a Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court to surrender Ksh202 million to the government.
The court found that the millions were frozen by the State in his bank accounts after it was found to amount to proceeds of corruption.
Justice Esther Maina ruled that the Mathira MP confessed to acquiring the funds from government agencies but there was no supporting evidence to reveal that he supplied any services or goods.
He held three bank accounts at a local bank. One was holding Ksh165 million, the second Ksh35 million, and the third Ksh773,228.
All three are under the MP's names but a fourth account linked to Gachagua held Ksh1,138,142, registered in the name of Jenne Enterprises.
“I have carefully considered the evidence on record including affidavits, annexures and submissions by all parties and I am satisfied that the funds are liable for forfeiture to the government,” the judge said.
Gachagua landed in trouble with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on July 23, 2021, over money laundering claims when detectives picked him up from his home in Nyeri.
He faced six corruption charges on the acquisition of Ksh7.3 billion from proceeds of crime between the years 2013 and 2020 through business dealings with the government.
The charges include conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, fraudulent acquisition of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
His eight co-accused included Mathira NG-CDF manager William Wahome Mwangi, who was also the chairman of Tana Water Works Development Agency (TWWDA).
The other accused persons included Ann Nduta Ruo, Julianne Jahenda Makaa, Samuel Murimi Ireri, Grace Wambui Kariuki, Lawrence Kimaru, and Irene Wambui Ndigiriri, David Reuben Nyangi Nguru and Rapid Medical Supplies Ltd.
The ruling comes as a blow to Deputy President William Ruto's running mate who had revealed plans to build a house with the money if he wins the case.
Speaking in Mathira constituency on Tuesday, June 28, Gachagua vowed to take back his money he claimed the government froze illegally to build a palatial home with a nyama choma (roast meat) base for his supporters, that is, if the duo win the August 9 general elections.
"You know this government froze my account. When we take power, I will take my money back and I will come and build a home here in Kieni so that you can come to visit me. I will build a nice house and also a nice place where men can grill meat and also drink what we drink as we talk," Gachagua stated.
"For the women, we will have a nice place for them where they will be coming to visit Mama Gachagua as they drink porridge while singing and dancing."
Kenya Kwanza Running Mate Rigathi Gachagua poses for a photo during a rally in Meru. /TWITTER
