Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua’s bank accounts have been frozen over the alleged embezzlement of public funds amounting to Sh12.5 billion.
This comes after detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) completed a probe into how the billions were wired to Gachagua’s accounts between 2013 and 2020.
The first-time MP is said to have used proxies to fraudulently win tenders in various county government, State agencies, and ministries through 22 companies with him as the sole beneficiary.
Gachagua is also being investigated by the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), which is seeking to establish the source of the Sh12.5 billion that passed through his accounts.
Gachagua is said to have received the funds through three accounts in Rafiki Micro Finance Bank.
The funds were received from the Ministry of Lands (Kenya Informal Settlements Program), State Department for Special Planning, Ministry of Health, Bungoma County government, Mathira Constituency Development Fund, Nyeri County government, and the National Irrigation Board and are suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Citing an investigation file, Citizen TV reported that two hairdressers and a former mobile money transfer agent were awarded lucrative contracts by Mathira Constituency Development Fund (CDF) but Gachagua insists the deals are not fraudulent
“These people who are being accused of being nobodies and have done a lot of business were my employees previously. I have empowered and mentored them and made them grow,” Gachagua told the station.
Investigators said two companies that were paid Sh150 million went on to transfer a huge chunk of the money to entities owned by Gachagua. The DCI and ARA have frozen Gachagu’s four accounts holding a total of Sh202 million.
Over 100 people who did business with Gachagua have been questioned in the past six months. They include Laikipia Senator John Nderitu who received Sh1.9 million from Gachagua, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri (Sh5.9 million), Meru Senator Mithika Linturi (Sh1.3 million), and Ruguru Ward MCA (Nyeri) Karanja Muriuki who received Sh11 million.
“This is a witch-hunt and a scheme meant to harass me because of my political stand… We cannot criminalize enterprise. We cannot criminalize hard work. I have been in business for the last 20 years since I left the civil service. It is only natural that I have some little money,” Gachagua told Citizen TV.
Take all the stolen money,…
Take all the stolen money, his cars, houses, etc and reward him shs 1.00
This is the only way we will manage these collosal thieves. We are tired of folks stealing from us!
I thought DP Ruto said…
I thought DP Ruto said gachagua is a clean man? How come every thief in Kenya ends up in DP Ruto’s court; preachers and bishops included! Evan the renowned bishop Wanjiru is now swimming in Ruto’s pockets.
Haki these thieves have truly misused our Heavenly Father’s name in vain to enrich themselves. Even Moses Kuria, Ndindi and Wahome have now been converted to preachers! Even our clean MP Mohammed Ali have now been tainted!
Shs 12 billion in this guy’s…
Shs 12 billion in this guy’s pockets and he does not know there is a toothbrush and Colgate!? He deserves to have all the money taken!
Every politician who is…
Every politician who is thief calls it witch hunt! It is not your money Rigathi!
I have been tarmacking looking for a job after earning two Engineering degrees and you are busy stealing the money that can pay thousands of graduates?
I even had a chance to get a wheelbarrow from Ruto but what good is it in this coronavirus time? Hii Kenya yetu!
Give the money back and go to jail!