How Rigathi Gachagua Turned the Tables in His Impassioned Impeachment Speech: 10 Key Moments

On a dramatic day in Kenyan politics, Vice President Rigathi Gachagua took to a press conference at his official residence in Karen to address the nation concerning the impeachment motion brought against him. In the nearly 2-hour speech, Gachagua meticulously addressed each of the allegations presented in the impeachment motion against him, defending himself and his family against accusations related to corruption, land ownership, and irregular business dealings. His speech was both a robust defense of his personal integrity and a counter-attack on what he claimed were baseless accusations driven by malice and political motives.

This article delves into 10 key moments that defined Gachagua’s dramatic defense, breaking down the key points of his rebuttal and providing insight into his stance on various issues.

10 Key Moments That Defined Rigathi Gachagua’s Dramatic Impeachment Defense

1. Inherited Properties and the Olive Garden Hotel

One of the most prominent allegations against Gachagua was the acquisition of properties, including the Olive Garden Hotel, after assuming the position of Deputy President in 2022. He opened his defense by addressing this claim, providing clarity about his family’s involvement in the property.

Gachagua asserted that the hotel in question was part of the estate of his late brother, James Gachagua, and was not a recent acquisition as alleged. He emphasized that his brother had left the hotel in his will, and the proceeds from its sale had been distributed among family members. Gachagua expressed frustration over the accusations, calling them “unfair and cruel to a dead man.” He also commended the executors of his brother’s estate for fairly distributing the proceeds.

“I inherited the Olive Garden Hotel from my late brother. The accusations against me are both unfair and disrespectful to the memory of a man who worked hard to provide for his family,” he stated.

2. Allegations of Corruption in Land Ownership

Land ownership and property acquisitions have long been a contentious issue in Kenyan politics, and Gachagua’s case was no different. He responded to accusations of corrupt dealings in land purchases, including claims of owning an 88-acre piece of land and illegally acquiring land in other regions.

Gachagua provided details of his legitimate transactions, pointing out that he had bought a 35-acre piece of land in Kieni from a sitting MP in 2015. He also clarified that he had borrowed money from Solution Sacco Limited to purchase a 29-acre plot in his mother’s hometown, Meru, where he planned to build a house. These acquisitions, he argued, were above board, and he dismissed accusations that he had accumulated these properties through illicit means.

Accusing his detractors of spreading “lies and intimidation,” Gachagua expressed sympathy for his political opponents, including Kieni MP, who he claimed had been hospitalized due to threats. He called on his accusers to provide tangible evidence to substantiate their claims.

“I challenge those making these baseless accusations to present their evidence. My dealings are legitimate, and I will not be intimidated by lies,” Gachagua declared.

3. Clarifying Business Interests and Family Involvement

In a bid to undermine his credibility, the impeachment motion raised concerns about Gachagua’s business background and the alleged involvement of his family members in government contracts. Gachagua firmly denied these claims, explaining that while he had been a businessman before joining politics, many of his former companies were no longer operational.

He addressed the involvement of his children in business, explaining that he had transferred ownership of some companies to them. He also took the extra step of instructing his children not to engage in government contracts to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

“I have advised my children to keep away from doing business with the government to avoid any conflict of interest,” Gachagua stated, dismissing claims of corruption as baseless.

Gachagua further clarified the financial standing of several companies, including Crystal Kenya Limited and Royal Crimson Ventures Limited. He pointed out that these companies had not engaged in any illegal activities or government deals, and in some cases, had not been operational for years.

4. Defending His Children’s Hotel Investment

One of the more personal accusations against Gachagua involved his children’s investment in the Treetops and Outspan hotels in Nyeri. Critics claimed that his children were involved in corrupt dealings to secure the Treetops hotel.

Gachagua firmly rejected this claim, explaining that his children had taken a legitimate loan of 600 million Kenyan Shillings from a bank to purchase the Outspan hotel and lease the Treetops hotel from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

“My children are being demonized for investing in their own country. They took a bank loan to acquire the hotels, and their investment is above board,” Gachagua lamented.

He further argued that his children’s venture was aimed at revitalizing local tourism, providing jobs, and encouraging local suppliers to benefit from the business. He expressed dismay that young Kenyan entrepreneurs were being vilified for being entrepreneurial instead of celebrated.

5. Misappropriation of Public Funds: Tender Allegations

Another critical accusation that Gachagua had to fend off was related to the alleged irregular procurement of mosquito nets valued at KSh 3.7 billion. The tender, funded by the Global Fund through KEMSA, involved the international company Shibiko Impex Limited and its local agent, Crystal Kenya Limited. Gachagua’s son was reportedly linked to the tender.

In his defense, Gachagua clarified that his son’s role as the owner of Crystal Kenya Limited was limited to representing Shibiko Impex in collecting its bid bond from KEMSA, after the international company failed to win the tender. He firmly denied any involvement in the tender process or any loss of public funds.

“No nets were supplied, no funds were lost, and no scandal occurred. I ask the media and my accusers to show the evidence before making these sensational claims,” Gachagua urged.

6. Government Expenditures and Audits

Gachagua also addressed accusations of financial mismanagement and misappropriation of funds related to the renovation of his official residences in Karen and Mombasa. Critics argued that he had overseen extravagant and unnecessary spending amounting to over KES 100 million. Gachagua rebutted these claims by stating that all government expenditures, including the renovations, were audited annually by the Auditor General. He also stated that all the accounting regarding the renovations was overseen by the controller of State House and he was not involved in any way.

“The audits for the financial year in question gave a clean bill of health for the renovations. There were no irregularities,” Gachagua affirmed.

He emphasized that the renovations were not initiated by him but were necessary due to the poor state of the residence. He also stated that he had no involvement with the contractor handling the renovations.

7. Countering Media Allegations

In his address, Gachagua took a moment to criticize the media, accusing them of engaging in a “fishing expedition” and spreading false information to tarnish his reputation. He singled out The Star, a local newspaper, for publishing misleading headlines regarding his involvement in the tender process for mosquito nets.

“The media has a responsibility to report the truth, not to engage in baseless fishing expeditions. I challenge them to provide evidence of my involvement in any scandal,” Gachagua stated pointedly.

8. Evictions, Constitutionality, and Defending His Actions

One of the accusations brought against Gachagua was his stance on forced evictions, particularly in Nairobi. Critics accused him of undermining the government’s efforts to evict individuals living in areas earmarked for public projects, such as the rehabilitation of the Nairobi River. Gachagua clarified that while he supported the government’s decisions on eviction, he advocated for humane treatment and adequate compensation for those affected.

“I will not oversee brutal and inhumane evictions. My position is clear – evictions must be conducted within the framework of the Constitution and international law,” Gachagua stated.

He rejected the idea that his stance on evictions was grounds for impeachment, insisting that his position was rooted in defending constitutional rights.

9. Anti-Corruption Efforts and Alleged Interference in Governance

Throughout his address, Gachagua reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption, illicit drugs, and alcohol in Kenya. He dismissed accusations that his efforts to tackle the problem of illicit brews and drugs were a form of interference with the devolved system of government.

“Leading the fight against illicit alcohol and drugs is not an impeachable offense. I am doing what is in the best interest of the people of Kenya,” Gachagua remarked, expressing disbelief at the notion that this could be used against him.

On Sakaja’s Affidavit on Interference in the Nairobi County Government

Gachagua also noted that his involvement in the Wakulima Market in Nairobi was after the traders asked for his intervention. Gachagua said that he only asked the Nairobi County governor Johnson Sakaja to hold a meeting and listen to the traders. Gachagua accussed Sakaja of unilaterally deciding to relocate the traders, despite their being a framework agreed on by the stakeholders, and not accounting for the additional costs the traders would have to incur if they relocated. Sakaja filed an affidavit in the impeachment case against the DP accussing him of interference in the running of the capital city county.

Governor Sakaja Pulls a Punch Back at DP Gachagua
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is finally pulling a punch back at Gachagua in the impeachment motion against the DP#Sakaja #NaiInaWork #RiggyG #GachaguaImpeachment #ManiaNews https://t.co/S0jJnKSzCH

— David Mania (@daviemaniaa) October 7, 2024

Criticizing the NIS and Commenting on His Apology to President Ruto

Gachagua also defended his comments regarding his criticism of the National Intelligent Service, NIS, saying that he followed the example of President Ruto, who had criticized the head of the NIS back when he was deputy president. Gachagua said that he would be providing video evidence of the same. He also reiterated his previous stance that the impeachment motion could not have gotten to parliament without a nod from President Ruto.

Rigathi Gachagua says DG NIS is not above the law and is answerable to Kenyans.

— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) October 7, 2024

Gachagua further indicated that his apology to President Ruto was in no way an admission of wrong-doing and that he was only apologizing for any mistake he had unknowingly made that may have upset the parliament.

10. Allegations of Threats and Divisive ‘Shareholder’ Politics

The Deputy President also took time to address more personal allegations, such as claims that he had threatened a judge or made utterances that threatened national cohesion, including his shareholder statement. He denied threatening the judge, denying it as a baseless fabrication, and doubled-down saying that he filed a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission against her. Gachagua also rejected accusations that he was stoking tribal divisions in Kenya, explaining that his comments about “shareholders” referenced Kenya Kwanza’s power-sharing agreements. Gachagua attested that he is a believer in coalition building, which is rooted in transparency and truthfulness, not division. He noted that his remarks on regional representation and power-sharing were based on signed agreements, ensuring equitable distribution of positions within the government.

Gachagua Impeachment Defense: A Call for Truth and Integrity

In his concluding remarks, Vice President Gachagua emphasized the importance of truth, integrity, and adherence to agreements in public service. He called for evidence to support the allegations against him and vowed to prove his innocence. Gachagua reiterated his respect for Kenya’s judiciary, expressing confidence that the impeachment process would be dismissed.

“I was elected by 7.2 million Kenyans, and I intend to fulfill my mandate. I challenge my accusers to present their evidence,” Gachagua concluded, standing firm in his belief that the accusations would not hold up to scrutiny.

“A Theater of Absurdity”

Gachagua also confirmed that he will be heading to parliament on Tuesday at 5PM to defend himself against the accusations and present evidence, including videos. He said that the impeachment hearing/debate on Tuesday would be a “Theater of Absurdity” calling the allegations against him “ridiculous”.

Defiant and Unyielding: Gachagua’s Comments On Resigning

DP Rigathi Gachagua was adamant that he will not resign, and called those sending him “feelers” to resign “jokers”. He remained unyielding and defiant saying that he has done “no wrong” and was elected by 7.2 million. Gachagua laughed at speculations that he was going to resign when he called a press coference yesterday evening. Read the latest news and development on the impeachment case in our Gachagua impeachment series.

This article has been written with the help of AI.