DP Gachagua defends renovation costs amid accusations of misusing public funds

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday evening defended himself against accusations of irregularly spending taxpayers' money to renovate his official residences in Mombasa and Nairobi.

Gachagua, who pledged to defend himself against all accusations in the impeachment motion, defended the renovations carried out at his official residence.

The Deputy President recounted to a group of journalists at his official Karen residence how it took him seven months to move in due to significant damage to the property following his election alongside President William Ruto.

He also defended his office’s proposed allocation in the 2024/2025 financial year. The proposed figures, tabled by a representative from Gachagua’s office before Parliament, showed that the DP’s office sought to spend Sh460.4 million to renovate his Harambee Annex offices and another Sh660 million to refurbish his official Karen residence.

"We found broken taps, while most things were not working," said Gachagua.

Gachagua further clarified that approving government expenditures is the responsibility of Parliament, not his office.

"There was a need to dignify the residences of the Deputy President because people meet here, such as ambassadors and other respected dignitaries," explained Gachagua.

The embattled Deputy President revealed that he was unaware of the contractor responsible for renovating the residence.

"I did not need to know the contractor. He's not related to me in any way," said Gachagua.

In his explanation, government expenditure is being audited by the office of the Auditor General.

"We were given a clean bill of health by the Auditor General. If Mutuse had done his homework, he would not have come up with such claims," said Gachagua.

In his further explanation, "this residence and that of Mombasa were in a state of disrepair."

"I normally have big delegations, such as my security detail. It helps in cutting out public expenditure because previously we would use hotels."

"The press must ask questions by telling my accusers to bring evidence of their accusations. You just don't allege; you must explain," claimed Gachagua.