It's my brother’s property - DP Gachagua denies corruption accusations

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at allegations accusing him of amassing Sh5.2 billion since assuming office, asserting that the properties in question predominantly belonged to his late brother, James Nderitu Gachagua.

Gachagua expressed his outrage over the accusations and clarified his role as the executor of his brother's estate in a late Monday press briefing.

The Deputy President addressed the media, debunking the corruption allegations and criticising Kibwezi West Constituency MP Mwengi Mutuse, who tabled the impeachment motion against him. 

"It is outrageous to drag my late brother's estate into these baseless allegations," Gachagua stated. He explained that his brother, who passed away in February 2017, had appointed him as the executor of his will, and much of the wealth attributed to him is tied to that responsibility.

Gachagua disclosed that his late brother had left behind four significant properties, including a hotel and a high-rise apartment, with specific instructions in the will directing him to manage or sell these assets as needed.

Among these properties, the Olive Garden Hotel was sold for Sh412 million, with the proceeds distributed among the beneficiaries. Another property, Queens Gate Apartment, was sold to a bank for Sh600 million, most of which was used to settle debts left by the former Nyeri Governor.

The deputy president emphasised the sentimental value of one of the properties, the Vipingo Beach Hotel, which the family decided to keep.

"Vipingo Beach Hotel reminds us of our beloved brother, and we have chosen to retain it as a family treasure," he shared. He further noted that Lang’ata Highrise Apartments remain part of the family estate.

Visibly emotional, Gachagua apologised to his late brother for the need to disclose the will’s details publicly. 

DP Rigathi Gachagua addresses the media at his Karen home on Monday, October , 2024. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

"I take this opportunity to ask for forgiveness from my late brother James Nderitu Gachagua that today, as your younger brother defends himself, he’ll defile your privacy by distributing your will that you wrote in privacy," he lamented. 

"How unfair and cruel can you be to a dead man? My dear brother, rest in peace and forgive me for having joined politics because were it not for politics, you would not suffer this shame," he added. 

During the televised address, Gachagua also clarified his acquisition of parcels of land cited in the impeachment motion. MP Mutuse had claimed that the Deputy President acquired these properties as proceeds of crime.

However, Gachagua refuted the claims, particularly regarding parcels known as Ruguru Kiamarega. He noted that the land is not in Mathira East, as alleged, but in Mathira West and clarified that it does not possess a helipad.

"I bought the parcel for Sh3.5 million, and I use it for livestock farming," he said. According to Gachagua, he rears 150 heads of livestock on the land, yielding a monthly return of Sh1.5 million.

On the alleged 40 acres in Kieni Constituency, Gachagua insisted that he acquired the parcel legally from Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina. The Deputy President also addressed the claims surrounding an 80-acre piece of land in Meru, which the motion attributed to him.

"These allegations are ridiculous," he said. "I am a member of Solutions SACCO in Meru. For those who don’t know, I am half Meru. The land in question is, in fact, just 29 acres, and I bought it through Solutions SACCO with a loan."

Gachagua further elaborated on his connection to the Meru land, citing familial ties. 

"The deputy president, sometimes, is a very lonely man. My parents are dead, my brothers are dead, and my sisters are married. When I go home, I am often lonely, which is why I decided to look for land in Meru to be close to relatives. I borrowed money and bought 29 acres in Meru, the land of my mother," he told the press.

DP Rigathi Gachagua and Interior CS Kithure Kindiki interact at a meeting with village elders, assistant chiefs and the chief at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

Gachagua also addressed claims about an alleged dairy farm in Nyandarua. The impeachment motion accused him of owning a developed dairy farm, but Gachagua clarified that he only owns a small piece of land in Shamata, which he has yet to develop. "I mentioned wanting to start a dairy farm, and Mutuse ran away with that statement," he remarked.

Gachagua clarified that he received Sh20 million, or 5 per cent of his late brother's estate, into his bank accounts following the liquidation of some properties. He added that his account also holds an additional Sh20 million that Nderitu left for their mother, with him listed as a trustee.

Furthermore, Nderitu deposited Sh16 million into his accounts as a trustee for his nephews.

The Deputy President categorically denied the claims that his sons acquired Treetops Hotel, clarifying that it is currently under lease from the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Additionally, he portrayed himself as an astute businessman, attributing much of his wealth to successful ventures during the Mwai Kibaki era. 

"The late Gachagua left 80 flats and instructed us to distribute the property with a formula. We decided against selling the flats. I have 10 flats as per the formula, and Grand Bypass Apartments Limited manages them on behalf of the beneficiaries," he clarified.

Gachagua's comments come amid ongoing legal challenges. According to Parliament lawyer Paul Nyamondi, 19 petitions have been filed challenging the Deputy President's impeachment, though none have resulted in halting the proceedings.