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‘Kila mtu ananialika harambee’ – Gachagua says after ARA wired back Ksh200M to him

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 17:29 | By
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. PHOTO/Courtesy

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua finally spoke after the state agreed to hand back Ksh200 million, which was forfeited last year.

Speaking on Thursday, February 2, 2023, the DP affirmed that he had received more than 200 invitations to attend harambees since the news emerged.

He also alleged that some people have claimed a share of the money.

"I've received more than 200 invitations to attend harambees. You know Uhuru's government took my money which was released yesterday. Now everybody is planning for that money. That's the world we live in, kila mtu ananialika harambee because it sounds like a lot of money; Thats the situation and because I'm a son of Mau Mau, they are also saying it's their money," he said.

On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Court of Appeal vacated the High Court orders that had declared the aforementioned funds' proceeds of crime following new evidence that was tabled.

The Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) stated that the DP had explained his source of wealth and subsequently detailed the legitimacy of the money in question.

“After gathering new evidence, we found out that the money forfeited to the State six months ago was not proceeds of crime and that the Deputy President has explained the source and legitimacy of the said money to satisfaction,” ARA informed the Court of Appeal.

The funds in question are held in three accounts at Rafikir Microfinance bank in Gachagua's name - from this, one account is holding Ksh165million another is holding Ksh35million, and the other account is holding Ksh773,228.

“The funds held in account number 0012070000198, being Sh165 million, account number 014207000047, being Sh35 million and account number 0012010006030, being Sh773,228.33 all in the name of Rigathi Gachagua, held at Rafiki Microfinance Bank respectively, be forthwith released to Gachagua,” the judges ordered.

In July last year, the court found the money to be the proceeds of corruption. At the time, Gachagua was the MP for Mathira.

“There was nothing to show he performed any contract. He only produced a letter dated February 2015, from a ministry indicating Wamunyoro had been awarded a tender. He was required to execute a contract. Nothing to show the tender was executed,” the judge said.

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