Ruto Defends MP Rigathi Gachagua over Sh12.5 Billion Tender Scam

Deputy President William Ruto has defended Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua over the alleged Sh12.5 billion tender scam.

Gachagua is being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) for allegedly receiving the funds between 2013 and 2020.

He is said to have used proxies to fraudulently secure tenders in various county government, State agencies, and ministries through 22 companies with him as the sole beneficiary. Gachagua is alleged to have received the illegal payments through three accounts in Rafiki Micro Finance Bank. 

The funds were allegedly received from the Ministry of Lands (Kenya Informal Settlements Program), State Department for Special Planning, Ministry of Health, Bungoma County government, Mathira Constituency Development Fund, Nyeri County government, and the National Irrigation Board, among others.

But speaking during a visit to Mathira on Saturday, DP Ruto claimed the investigations against Gachagua are politically instigated.

“I want to tell DCI to leave Rigathi Gachagua alone. I want to tell those in charge of the Criminal Justice System not to use the system for matters of politics and to settle political scores,” Ruto stated.

“Rigathi is being harassed due to his political affiliation but he is not at fault. Those behind Gachagua’s woes are people who do not want him to take his money to the church,” he added.

Over 100 people who did business with Gachagua have already been questioned in the past six months. 

They include Laikipia Senator John Nderitu who received Sh1.9 million from Gachagua, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri (Sh5.9 million), Meru Senator Mithika Linturi (Sh1.3 million), and Ruguru Ward MCA (Nyeri) Karanja Muriuki who received Sh11 million.

Last week, Gachagua was arrested and taken to DCI headquarters for grilling.