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.
Comments (6)
The high priest of corruption is once again at it defending a fellow thief! Ruto is as corrupt as Satan himself. He works very hard to win thieves just like the devil does to win more sinners!
I totally blame the kenyan people for going to bed with political thieves who openly steal from them! Just look at Ruto, Rigathi, Sonko, Wohome, Ndindi, Alice Gitau, Jane Kihara, Waititu, etc. And the list goes on and on.....
I’m beginning to believe that the Kenyan people are the once who entertain corruption and draining of the national coffers! I surely do not feel sorry for them!! They condone thieves and glorify them!
Really Ruto - are you this desperate and a cheap bustard to sell your soul over money??? Where is your morality? You have personally confirmed that you are thief!
Ruto ni mwizi na mhadaifu wa ajabu.Alisimama na waititu akijua ni mwizi kama yeye,timu yake ilisimama na sonko mwizi kama yeye,leo ako kwa gachagua kuzuia wizi wake usichunguzwe.Wakenya jitahadharini ruto kama uji moto ako na kichaa cha wizi alichoambukiza karibu wandani wake karibi wote.Akiwa rais itakuwa tsunami ya uporaji kwa yeye na watu wake jinsi tu rais moi alivyovunjanga na kupora idara zote kutumia watu wake na kuirudisha kenya miaka mia moja nyuma.
RUTO shut the hell up. If you're PROTECTING thieves and thugs, how will be your government?
Kenya has been turned into a government for the thieves by the thieves.
IT'S FOR KENYANS TO WAKE UP AND TAKE ARMS. IT'S TIME TO REMOVE ALL THESE CROOKS FROM POWER.
These two deceiving ugly thieves! Haki Kenya yetu, sisi wajinga sana. Period!!!
A thief defending another thief. There is nothing new here. Ruto is number one crook in the country. I am not surprised that he would be making light of another major financial criminal. The court should freeze all their accounts until the cases are resolved. A country full of conmen. Ruto is the high priest of the cartel. Conmen are everywhere you look.