Ruto should drop Gachagua as running mate after Ksh200M conviction – Raila
Azimio One Kenya Alliance presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga now wants Deputy President William Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua disqualified.
Speaking in Eldoret, the ODM party leader stated that the Mathira lawmaker should be disqualified on grounds of being a mastermind of a well-orchestrated scheme that saw him defraud several counties of huge sums of money.
The outspoken lawmaker was on Thursday, July 28, ordered by the Anti-Corruption High Court to forfeit Ksh200 million to the State.
Raila now argues that following the court ruling, Gachagua is unfit to deputize a presidential candidate in the upcoming polls.
"Ruto should disqualify his running mate, Gachagua after the court ordered him to return Ksh200 million of taxpayers' money. We are running against thieves," he said.
Court orders Gachagua to surrender Ksh200M to State
In her ruling, Justice Esther Maina said that funds held in the MP's accounts at Rafiki Micro Finance bank amounting to Ksh200M are proceeds of crime and therefore liable for forfeiture to the state.
The funds at Rafiki Micro Finance Bank, are held in three accounts with one holding Ksh165 million, a second account holding Ksh35 million and the other holding Ksh773,228.
All three are registered in Gachagua's name. A fourth account, holding Ksh1,138,142, is registered in the name of Jenne Enterprises.
"The court finds the funds are liable to forfeiture as ARA has discharged its burden of proof that the funds were received by Gachagua, "
While issuing the orders for forfeiture, the judge said the Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate failed to show a legitimate source of the funds deposited in the said accounts.
