I Don't Bank Some of My Money Due to Strict Regulations, MP Rigathi Gachagua Admits

I Don't Bank Some of My Money Due to Strict Regulations, MP Rigathi Gachagua Admits

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has admitted he does not bank some of his money due to strict anti-money laundering laws.

Gachagua noted that many Kenyans, including himself, have avoided banking owing to regulations that require individuals to account for all cash transactions exceeding Sh1 million.

“What has happened is that many people have stopped banking. I myself don’t bank some of the money that I make from my farm. Why? Because I have to explain how and where I got the money. When I was planting nobody asked me questions but when I want to deposit the money I have made after a harvest I have to do so,” the MP said on Thursday.

“The government is supposed to offer services but they brought too much governance into people’s lives. For you to deposit a million shillings in a financial institution, you have to answer too many questions. We Africans are not even comfortable discussing the number of cows or sheep we have. It is against our tradition and so is money.”

The first-time MP indicated that some businesses prefer cash transactions and anything else is unacceptable.

“I have construction works and whenever I go to buy sand from a supplier, they expect me to pay for the product in cash. The same applies when paying construction workers. When I pay them for a job all they want is cash since a lot of them don’t even have bank accounts,” he remarked.

Gachagua was reacting to President Kenyatta’s Mashujaa Day decree to raise the threshold of cash transactions.

Gachagua suggested that the cash threshold be raised by Sh4 million to Sh5 million, saying this will bring more money into circulation.

“In my own proposal the threshold should be around 5 million shillings. That should be the largest amount you can withdraw or deposit in cash.  That will bring money into circulation. People are private in nature and it is not because they are crooks or anything like that,” he noted.

Comments

Ezzy (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 11:54am

Then what’s the problem Mr. If you have nothing to hide then you will declare where the money came from. Stop hoodwinking people...

Imara Daima (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 12:49pm

Hebu msikilize kwa makini jinsi huyu ndugu yetu Rigathi Gachagua anavyosema:

"...We Africans are not even comfortable discussing the number of cows or sheep we have. It is against our tradition and so is money.”

Huyu kiongozi anastaajabisha kweli kwa kusema mambo aliyosema.

kithoi (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 12:51pm

Stop this nonsense Mr. Gachagua where did the person who bought your harvest got the money from? .These are excuses to clean corruption money.

KK (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 01:22pm

So if I understand this man correctly he stores most of his money at home. Where do live? I have some friends who want to meet you.

Mwathi (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 01:55pm

This is a law maker talking baloney to kenya citizens! So where does Rigathi keep the excess money!? Under the bed with ngunia not to pay income taxes! Right! Corruption of the highest order!

Walid (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 01:58pm

The proceeds of theft? graft and corruption is being kept inside the mattress by these MPs! Tear up his house to retrieve all the stolen money!

Josey (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 02:00pm

Fir your information this is a DP Ruto supporter! I wonder where he got the idea!? Birds of a feather flock together as they steal from Kenyans!

Zac (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 02:04pm

Now I fully understand why uda wants a wheelbarrow bottom-bottom shags economy! Unfortunately this thief is preaching this negative choir to some little pions who don’t know any better!

imkgoogo (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 02:45pm

The threshold is not important, can make it any amount, the problem is how the regulation is managed. In Kenya, its managed by the banks. A big mistake, should be managed by a government agency and not private entities like Equity, KCB etc. Currently, if you deposit Shs 1.5M at any bank in any form (cash, check, electronic), the bank will accept the funds, and then freeze the account. The bank will not report this to the client, Central Bank, DCI, or any authority. The bank will freeze the account, and then keep quiet. Becomes interesting when the transfer is from one account to another in the same bank. That bank will freeze both accounts, and they will not report to anyone. Why, because by freezing the accounts, the bank will be earning interest without any risk. This need to be fixed. All the banks are supposed to report the suspect transaction, and let the authorities take over from there. It's not for the bank to enforce as there will always be conflict of interest.

Soldieron (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 04:21pm

Rigathi must consider us stupid imbeciles. Let him tell us the people who have stopped banking and we shall surely tell him if they are thieves or not. Whenever money is kept under the pillow and there is nothing wrong with the banks, then the money owner has something to hide. Rigathi usituchukuwe ufala maze!

MOHANDAS (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 05:15pm

Idiot . If you wanted transparency you would advocate for proper disclosure of source of funds.
The government is just doing due diligence to avoid money laundering and ensure accountability and transparency of all financial transactions.

Bmore (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 05:19pm

If you earned your wealth through hard work and honesty why would you be afraid to discuss it?. His comrade William Ruto always talks about his chicken yet an African.
Is he advising Kenyan to keep their money in bedroom under the mattress?

Hk (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 06:57pm

These corrupt idiots have no business being law makers! They are all law breakers of huge magnitude! These thieves ought to be dealt with by the public!

My Two Cents (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 07:47pm

At least Moi Jr. is a little honest. He has bitten more than he can swallow.
Stealing stealing stealing and getting stuck with the loot .. Can you please help me bank the loot? Like pleaaaase

So-woke (not verified)     Thu, 10/21/2021 @ 08:01pm

There's no way you can't explain source of money. He's just explained it is farm produce sale. This is a billionaire talking about inability to explain source of billions not millions.

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