Allegations of Rigathi Gachagua manipulating his brother to sign a will from his sick bed, along with charges of corruption, ethnic discrimination, and insubordination, dominated the Deputy President’s ouster trial in the Senate on Wednesday.
The Deputy President faced a setback when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi allowed new evidence that revealed how Gachagua used a proxy to acquire a hotel belonging to his deceased brother, Nderitu Gachagua.
During the proceedings, the National Assembly, represented by a team of lawyers led by senior counsel James Orengo, outlined how Gachagua traveled to London to have his brother sign a will regarding his substantial estate while he was in intensive care.
“In February 2017, the Deputy President visited his brother in the ICU in London. The next day, he pressured his brother to execute a will,” said Orengo. He noted that there was no evidence of Gachagua consulting the medical staff caring for his brother, who died just a week later.
Evidence presented indicated that Gachagua was transferring funds from his brother’s accounts even on the day of his death. “On 19th May, further funds were withdrawn and paid to Wamunyoro Investments,” Orengo stated, adding that Gachagua had been involved in acquiring properties worth over Sh800 million, some of which were allegedly funded by his brother’s estate.
Gachagua’s lawyer, Elisha Ongoya, countered these allegations, asserting that the Deputy President was not in office during the events in question.
The National Assembly also accused Gachagua of promoting ethnic contempt through his remarks about “shareholding,” which they argued could incite ethnic violence. “The Deputy President seems to believe he represents a specific region, but the constitution mandates that he serves the entire country,” Orengo emphasized.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, who sponsored the motion, argued that Gachagua’s alleged actions warranted impeachment, citing a history of ethnic exclusion from previous Deputy Presidents.
Mutuse claimed that Gachagua had amassed approximately Sh5.2 billion through corrupt practices, utilizing family members and proxies to do so. He pointed out how the Deputy President allegedly used his influence to acquire state property and manipulate tender awards.
Gachagua dismissed the accusations as baseless and emotionally charged. His lawyer contended that claims of insubordination could only be raised by a supervisor, and there had been no statement from the President regarding this matter.
Gachagua suffered another blow when Kingi accepted new evidence, including an affidavit from Peterson Muchiri, who claimed to have been used by Gachagua to acquire Olive Gardens Hotel. Muchiri stated in the affidavit that he entered a secret arrangement with the Deputy President to buy the hotel, part of his late brother’s estate, and that he was instructed to designate a close associate of Gachagua as the hotel’s agent.
Kingi also dismissed Gachagua’s objection to disqualify Orengo as counsel for the National Assembly, stating that the Deputy President would not be prejudiced by Orengo’s involvement.
