UDA presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua was on Thursday, July 28, ordered by The High Court’s Anti-Corruption division to surrender Ksh202 million to the government.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Esther Maina, the court found that the money that had been frozen by state agencies amounted to proceeds of corruption.
The court further ruled that the Mathira MP acquired the money from government agencies without supplying any goods or services.
UDA running mate Rigathi Gachagua arrested by DCI officers at his Nyeri home on July 23, 2021.
Rigathi Gachagua
“The court finds that the funds are liable to forfeiture as the Assets Recovery Authority (ARA) has discharged its burden of proof that the funds were received by Gachagua,” Justice Maina ruled.
However, in a quick rejoinder, Gachagua argued that he will appeal the decision by the Anti-Corruption Court, accusing the Judge of not according him a fair hearing.
Gachagua had been picked up at his Nyeri home by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on July 23, 2021, over money laundering claims.
He was then ferried to the DCI headquarters for questioning. The Mathira MP’s arrest came after he was linked a Ksh12 billion explained payments made through 42 proxy companies.
Gachagua was charged with conspiracy to commit an offense of corruption, fraudulent acquisition of public property, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime, and conflict of interest.
He was however released on July 26 on a Ksh12 million cash bail and an alternative Ksh25 million bond after spending three days in police custody. The lawmaker was also asked to surrender his passport and not to contact any of the witnesses.
Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate had maintained his innocence, stating that he was being vilified because of supporting the DP. He expressed confidence that the courts would vindicate him.
During the deputy presidential debate, he claimed that the frozen funds had stopped a house construction in his rural Nyeri home.
Speaking during a Kenya Kwanza rally, Gachagua stated that once the UDA flagbearer is declared the winner of the August 9 presidential election, he would recover the money and use it to benefit the people of Nyeri county.
He further dismissed claims that he was a billionaire, stating that his net worth, including the frozen Ksh202 million, stood at Ksh800 million.
Kenya Kwanza running mate Rigathi Gachagua with his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Martha Karua during the Deputy Presidential Debate on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.
Kenyans.co.ke
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