Gachagua recounted his success in the business sector where he was reaping from his hard work, compared to right now.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has admitted that the country’s economy was satisfactorily working during the tenure of the late former President Mwai Kibaki, in remarks that directly expose the torrid handling of the economy by President William Ruto’s administration.
In a tell-all address to the nation at his Karen residence on Monday, October 7, Gachagua recounted his success in the business sector where he was reaping from his hard work, compared to right now.
Gachagua was forced to come out and defend himself from what he termed as sensational allegations of corruption and fraudulent property acquisition, as he prepares to defend himself before the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 8 in an ongoing impeachment motion against him.
“I was an astute businessman. Lucky for me, it was during the Kibaki era when things were working. The economy was strong, the business environment was right, and there was room to make money and I made money that time,” he recalled.
The late former President Mwai Kibaki. /FILE
“I want the people of Kenya to know that Rigathi Gachagua was a businessman before he became a politician and he had a life and that life is part of his history. Getting companies that were associated with him 15 years, 13 and 10 years ago and publishing them is just being mischievous.”
He revealed that upon assuming office as the second in command, he shifted ownership of some of the companies to his children, with instructions to continue doing business, especially with the private sector.
Gachagua strongly denied accusations from the mover of the impeachment motion, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, of his family being linked to business deals with the government and demanded that the lawmaker produce evidence on the same.
“When I became Deputy President, a few companies that owned properties, I transferred them to my children and I told them to continue doing business and not to do business with government because I don’t want conflict of interest,” he added.
“I want to confirm to the people of Kenya tonight that no company owned by my children has ever done business with the government and I’m demanding proof from the honourable Mutuse or anybody else linking the Rigathi Gachagua family with business deals with the Kenyan government.”
Going hard on Mutuse for tabling the impeachment motion, Gachagua went on to debunk all the corruption allegations against him including clarifying his role on the estate left by his brother Nderitu Gachagua who passed away in February 2017. While apologising to his brother, the DP revealed that as part of the estate, Nderitu left behind four properties including a hotel and a highrise apartment with a will directing Rigathi as the executor to sell them and share the property if need be.
Among them was the Olive Garden Hotel which the Deputy President confirmed was sold for Ksh412 million and the money shared with beneficiaries. Also, Queens Gate Apartment was sold to a bank at a value of Ksh600 million, a majority of which was used to pay off debts left by the deceased former Nyeri Governor.
Gachagua further noted that his brother owned Vipingo Beach Hotel which the family resorted to saving a sentimental value that ‘reminds us of our beloved brother.” The second in command further revealed that Lang’ata Highrise Apartments are still part of the family.
“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.
Land Allegations: During the televised address, the DP further clarified his acquisition of parcels of land contained in the motion filed by Mutuse as property he acquired as proceeds of crime.
The DP refuted that Ruguru Kiamarega parcels were not in Mathira East as alleged in the motion but in Mathira West and refuted that the land possessed a helipad. Instead, he noted that he bought the parcel for Ksh3.5 million and utilised it to rear livestock (150 heads) that have a return of Ksh1.5 million every month.
Regarding 40 acres in the Kieni Constituency of Nyeri, Gachagua insisted that he bought the parcel from Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina and further refuted that he owns 80 acres of land in Meru insisting the parcel measures 29 acres and he has built his home thereafter undergoing bouts of loneliness. He bought the parcel after acquiring a loan from Solutions Sacco which he services to date.
“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 continued.
DP Rigathi Gachagua addressing residents on September 28, 2024. /DPPS
