The Inside Story: Corruption Allegations Surrounding DP Rigathi Gachagua

Rigathi Gachagua, the self-claimed 'Son of the Mountain,' popularly referred to as Riggy G is embroiled in numerous corruption allegations that have triggered an ongoing impeachment process. 

Currently, he is facing accusations of unethical financial practices, misuse of public office, and unexplained wealth accumulation which have overshadowed Kenya’s Deputy President's political career. These allegations have raised serious concerns about his integrity and the transparency of Kenya's political system.

The 'utopian men' are unhappy with how Riggy G has carried himself over the years, and now they’ve had enough. In a bid to save himself from their grip, the 'son of the mountain' went deep into the heart of Murima—Mount Kenya’s center.  Here, he prayed for 7 days, he ate nothing and begged the elders before him, he even knelt and prayed for the 9 beautiful daughters of the Mumbi to intervene, but the Utopian men seem unshaken, they want to bring the King of the mountain down. 

What remains unclear is: What happens next after the King is dethroned. Will they choose another King, the people's former favourite? Or, could they crown a Queen this time? Only time will tell.

In this article, we present the major corruption allegations surrounding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, examining the details of each accusation and the impact they have had on his political career.

But first, lets dive into the factors surrounding his impeachment, why is he really being impeached?

DP Gachagua's Impeachment

I conducted a quick survey among 20 of my co-workers, and the responses were quite telling. Out of the 20, 15 believed that the impeachment stems from a deal that went wrong between him and the president; William Ruto, while 3 felt he is being impeached for legitimate reasons. The remaining 2 chose not to engage, stating they preferred to avoid discussing politics altogether. This snapshot reflects how divided Kenyan's are on divided on the issue of Gachagua's impeachment. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is currently facing an impeachment trial that has captured national attention. The trial, initiated by the National Assembly and moved to the Senate, revolves around 11 charges against Gachagua. These charges include gross violation of the constitution, corruption, and abuse of office. The impeachment process is significant, as it could potentially lead to Gachagua's removal from office if 45 out of the 67 senators vote in favor.

On the day of the trial, Gachagua was admitted to Karen Hospital due to severe chest pains, leading to a brief suspension of the proceedings. His legal team, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, requested time to monitor his condition before resuming the trial.

The Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi, highlighted the urgency of the situation, reminding the House that the impeachment is a time-sensitive process. As the trial continues, many are watching closely to see how this political saga unfolds.

DP Gachagua's Illness Temporarily Pauses Impeachment Trial

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was rushed to Karen Hospital after falling ill just before his impeachment trial at the Senate. 

His lawyer, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, informed the Senate that Gachagua was experiencing severe chest pains and was under medical care. Due to this, Muite requested more time to monitor the Deputy President’s condition before resuming the trial. 

In a presser with journalists, his doctor confirmed that he was admitted with chest pains and they are working to restore his condition to normalcy. 

“He came in at around 3 pm with a lot of chest pains. When you come to hospital with chest pain, our first concern is whether it is something to do with the heart,” Dr Gikonyo said. “Our job is to make sure that you don’t have any possibility of a heart attack. That is why we have taken him in and is undergoing through various investigations.”

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi suspended the session until 5 p.m., stating that the impeachment process is time-bound. Gachagua faces 11 charges, including constitutional violations and corruption, with at least 45 senators required to approve his removal from office.

The 11 Charges, DP Rigathi Gachagua is Facing in the Impeachment Trial

Top 5 Corruption Allegations Against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

1. Unexplained Wealth Accumulation in 2021

2021 is the year that saw Rigathi Gachagua's name surfacing, tainted with scandals of corrupt dealings. At the time, he was implicated with accusations of accumulating  7.3 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $57 million) through shady methods. This accusation shocked many Kenyans, given his previous role as a public servant (MP of Mathira Constituency, Nyeri) with a relatively modest income.

Authorities flagged a series of suspicious transactions involving multiple bank accounts under Gachagua’s control. These transactions raised concerns about the origin of the funds, with the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) launching an investigation. Gachagua was charged with money laundering, fraud, and the misuse of public resources. However, after he ascended to the position of Deputy President in 2022, the case was controversially dropped. This decision was met with public outrage, with many citizens questioning whether Gachagua's political power was being used to shield him from legal consequences.

The handling of this case continues to fuel public debate, with critics arguing that it represents a clear example of how political influence can undermine the justice system in Kenya.

2. Inflated Government Contracts Scandal

During his tenure as Member of Parliament for Mathira and later as Deputy President, Gachagua has been accused of using his political influence to secure inflated government contracts. These contracts allegedly benefited businesses owned by his close associates and family members, particularly in the real estate, hospitality, and construction sectors.

Critics argue that the inflation of contract values allowed Gachagua and his associates to siphon millions of shillings from public coffers. These contracts reportedly had inflated costs, with the difference being pocketed by Gachagua and his business allies. The most prominent of these deals were linked to construction projects and real estate developments that saw government funds funneled into private businesses linked to the Deputy President.

This pattern of behavior has raised serious concerns about conflict of interest, where public officials use their positions to advance their personal financial interests. Gachagua's involvement in these contracts has further tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his commitment to ethical governance.

3. The 5.2 Billion Shillings Wealth Accumulation Allegation

In addition to the 2021 wealth allegation, Gachagua has also faced accusations of accumulating 5.2 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $40 million) during his time as Deputy President. This figure is startling given that his official salary is just 13 million shillings per year (approximately $93,000).

The vast discrepancy between Gachagua's official earnings and his reported wealth has led to calls for greater transparency. Many critics, including prominent Kenyan lawmakers, have questioned how the Deputy President could amass such a fortune in such a short period. Gachagua has defended himself by claiming that his wealth comes from his family’s business ventures, which include significant investments in real estate and hospitality.

Despite these explanations, many Kenyans remain skeptical, believing that Gachagua’s sudden wealth is likely linked to corrupt deals and the misuse of his public office for personal gain. These allegations continue to cloud his political career, with opponents using them as evidence of systemic corruption within the government.

4. Money Laundering and Frozen Bank Accounts

In 2020, Gachagua’s bank accounts were frozen as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering. The Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) froze accounts holding over 200 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $1.5 million) after uncovering suspicious transactions linked to government tenders. The funds were suspected to have been acquired through fraudulent deals, with allegations that Gachagua had misused his political connections to secure government contracts.

Gachagua denied the charges, claiming that the investigation was politically motivated. He alleged that the then-government, under President Uhuru Kenyatta, was targeting him due to his political alliance with William Ruto. Despite these claims, the freezing of his bank accounts intensified public scrutiny, raising questions about the transparency of his financial dealings.

Although the investigation has since stalled, the freezing of Gachagua’s accounts remains a key point of contention, with many Kenyans wondering if he will ever face justice for the allegations against him.

5. Corruption Allegations Linked to County Contracts

Gachagua’s corruption allegations are not limited to the national level. Reports suggest that he has also been involved in county-level corruption, using his political influence to interfere in the awarding of contracts at the local level. Allegedly, Gachagua pressured county governments to award lucrative contracts to businesses linked to his allies, particularly in the Nyeri County region.

This form of political patronage helped Gachagua solidify his power base, but it also enriched his network at the expense of the public. Critics argue that such practices represent a broader culture of corruption in Kenya, where political leaders prioritize personal gain over public service.

Conclusion

The numerous corruption allegations surrounding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have cast a long shadow over his political career. From unexplained wealth and money laundering to inflated government contracts, Gachagua has been repeatedly implicated in financial scandals that have raised serious concerns about his integrity. While many of these cases have been dismissed or downplayed since his rise to the Deputy Presidency, they continue to fuel public debate and could potentially impact his political future.

As Gachagua navigates these challenges, including a potential impeachment and a strained relationship with President William Ruto, the corruption charges remain a crucial factor in determining his future in Kenyan politics. The extent to which he can clear his name and maintain public trust will be central to his legacy as a leader.