National Assembly Probes Gachagua's Sh1.2 Billion Renovation at Karen Mansion

The National Assembly is conducting a thorough investigation into the potential misuse of approximately 1.2 billion Kenyan shillings allocated for renovating the residences and offices of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The National Assembly Committee on Security recently summoned officials from the Office of the Deputy President to provide detailed explanations regarding the expenditure on Gachagua's properties in Karen, the Harambee Annexe Office, and the Mombasa office. Legislators have expressed concerns about the substantial funds allocated for renovation works, questioning whether the expenditures align with the actual project costs. A comprehensive report submitted to the committee reveals that 400 million Kenyan shillings have been expended thus far on repairs across the three locations.

During the investigative meeting, officials disclosed that a portion of the Harambee Annexe renovation funds was utilized for seemingly non-essential improvements, including kitchen repairs, constructing new washrooms, and landscaping. The committee members have characterized these expenditures as potentially wasteful. The progress of renovation projects appears to be incomplete, with the report indicating varying stages of completion: 45 per cent at the Harambee Annexe, 22 per cent at the Karen office, and 21 per cent at the Mombasa office.

These projects are scheduled for completion by June 2027. Narok West Member of Parliament Gabriel Tongoyo particularly scrutinizes the Karen residence refurbishment, which carries an estimated cost of 560 million Kenyan shillings. He highlights the discrepancy between the allocated budget and the reported project status, questioning how less than 250 million shillings could reportedly achieve nearly half of the renovation work. The investigation comes in the wake of major administrative changes at Gachagua's former office.

Over 300 workers have recently received dismissal letters from the Human Resource Manager, following a previous instance where approximately 108 workers were placed on mandatory leave after Gachagua's impeachment by the Senate. Lawmakers have stipulated that dismissed workers must undergo a clearance process before any further action. The investigation seeks to ensure rigorous oversight of government expenditures and maintain the integrity of public resource allocation.

In a recent development, Rigathi Gachagua donated Sh1 million to a church, drawing attention amid ongoing debates about political contributions to religious institutions. Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa defended the donation, asserting it was a pre-existing commitment to church construction. This comes amid broader scrutiny of political donations, with the Catholic Church recently ordering the refund of contributions from high-profile politicians. The Deputy President has simultaneously commended religious institutions for their social commentary and willingness to critique governmental actions.