UDA blogger: State contracted individuals to tarnish Gachagua, defend Adani, SHA
Kimani alleged that despite being promised Sh250,000 for the assignment, she only received Sh50,000, a fraction of the agreed amount.
A United Democratic Alliance (UDA) blogger, Sandra Kimani, has revealed how she and her colleagues were defrauded after being hired to tarnish former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s reputation, defend the JKIA-Adani deal, and promote the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA).
In an audio made available to The Eastleigh Voice, Kimani alleged that despite being promised Sh250,000 for the assignment, she only received Sh50,000, a fraction of the agreed amount.
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Kimani revealed that President William Ruto’s senior economic advisor Moses Kuria, initially briefed her and other bloggers on their assignment, assuring them that the government would cover expenses for radio and TV appearances.
She said they were promised Sh100,000 monthly, with additional top-ups for tasks requested by specific ministries. However, Kimani said they were forced to pay for airtime and other expenses such as tokens for show hosts from their pockets, contrary to the initial agreement.
“In September 2024, I was invited to Moses Kuria’s office along with 12 or 13 other people. We were informed that our role would be to represent the government in the media, particularly on TV and radio, as those who previously handled such assignments had become government officials,” Kimani recounted.
She said subsequent meetings were moved from Kuria’s office to a hotel under the direction of Rita Oyier, who had taken over coordinating the bloggers’ work.
During these meetings, Kimani noted that bloggers expressed dissatisfaction with the Sh100,000 monthly offer, which they deemed inadequate for the task of publicly criticising Gachagua. They were told additional payments would come for assignments from government ministries but this did not happen.
“We were shocked because we only received Sh50,000,” Kimani said.
Pocketed funds
She accused Oyier of pocketing funds intended for the bloggers after she was allocated Sh5 million to oversee the project but failed to account for the funds.
“The budget for each participant was Sh250,000, yet we were only given Sh50,000,” Kimani alleged.
Despite raising these issues, they were told Oyier was not accountable for the budget but only provided administrative support.
Kimani also recounted additional assignments, such as attending SHA promotional events and defending contentious policies in media appearances. She noted that the bloggers often received less money than agreed upon and had to cover additional expenses from their own pockets.
She criticised the lack of accountability in payments, alleging that their team leader avoided addressing financial concerns while Oyier deliberately skipped meetings where these issues were discussed.
“We were left in the dark, and the funds disappeared,” Kimani said.
In a memo dated January 24, 2025, Kirinyaga County Secretary H.A. Kimathi refuted claims that Oyier was serving as chief of staff in the county government. The memo clarified that Oyier ceased holding that position on September 5, 2024.
“Our attention is drawn to a media report quoting Ms Rita Oyier and referring to her as Kirinyaga County Chief of Staff. We would wish to clarify that Ms Rita Oyier ceased to be chief of staff in the county government of Kirinyaga on 5th September 2024,” reads the memo.
The revelations come after Gachagua’s impeachment, who has always insisted that he was unfairly removed from office. He has continuously reiterated that his dissent on specific government initiatives led to his impeachment.
Warnings on Adani
Gachagua, now a vocal critic of the government, has on several occasions accused President Ruto of ignoring his warnings about the entry of the Adani Group into Kenya and the establishment of SHA, which he said Kenyans were against.
Speaking during a church service in Murang’a on November 24, 2024, Gachagua claimed that he had cautioned the President about the risks associated with the Adani deal.
“I told President Ruto the Adani deal was shady, and the people did not want it. It was said that I was against government projects. I was taken to the Senate. Did you hear the charges that I had disrespected the President? I opposed some things,” he said.
Gachagua also alleged that he was the only person capable of correcting or advising the President on various matters.
Recently, the former DP made further allegations, claiming that the government is plotting to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome and dismantle the Supreme Court ahead of the 2027 elections.
He accused the Ruto administration of withdrawing Koome’s security as part of a larger scheme to intimidate her into stepping down. He urged Koome to remain resolute, praising her for upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Gachagua further alleged that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had allocated a budget to disband the Supreme Court. He stated that the ongoing petitions against Koome and other judges were state-sponsored, with the ultimate aim of replacing them with a bench favourable to the executive.
He called on the international community to monitor the developments, warning that such actions posed a threat to the independence of the Judiciary and Kenya’s democracy.
“We cannot allow this. The Judiciary must remain independent,” he said.
During Gachagua’s impeachment, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse accused him of violating constitutional principles, threatening national unity, and engaging in economic crimes
Mutuse claimed Gachagua amassed property worth Sh5.2 billion through questionable means and made statements inciting discrimination and undermining the presidency.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah supported the motion, stating that it was necessary for the country’s stability.
“What may be popular today may not be right. I am here to do what is right for the Republic of Kenya,” Ichung’wah said.
He described Gachagua as a threat to national unity and accused him of advancing selfish regional interests.
Despite Gachagua’s defence, Parliament overwhelmingly voted for his removal, citing his failure to uphold the integrity required of his office.
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