DP Gachagua To Get Back Sh200 Million Forfeited to Gov’t

The High Court’s decision requiring Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to give up Sh200 million to the government has been overturned by the Court of Appeal.

The lower court froze Sh200 million that belonged to Gachagua in 2020 while it was awaiting a petition from a State agency requesting that the money be forfeited to the government.

Judge Esther Maina of the High Court concluded last year that the former Mathira MP had not adequately explained how he gained wealth from government institutions.

But the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) told the Appellate Court that it has since determined that the monies were not proceeds of crime as earlier claimed.

Read: Gachagua To Forfeit Sh200 Million to State for Being Proceeds of Crime

The Court of Appeal heard that the agency did not conduct its own investigation but instead relied on information provided by the DCI.

Last year, the ARA submitted that their investigations revealed that the UDA deputy party leader and Jenne Enterprises Limited belonging to Ann Kimemia, were associated with a complex money laundering scam.

The funds were said to have come from the Ministry of Lands (Kenya Informal Settlements Programme), State Department for Special Planning, Ministry of Health, Bungoma County government, Mathira Constituency Development Fund, Nyeri County government, and the National Irrigation Board.

The funds were held at Rafiki Micro Finance Bank in four separate accounts.

Read Also: I’m Unbothered – Rigathi Speaks About Sh200 Million Seized by Gov’t

One held Sh165 million, a second account held Sh35 million while the other held Sh773,228. All the three were allegedly registered in Gachagua’s name.

The fourth account, holding Sh1,138,142, was registered in the name of Jenne Enterprises.

Documents filed in court showed that in seven years, the former lawmaker received Sh5.8 billion, which included funds from companies or business entities providing services to ministries, state agencies and county governments.

The agency allegedly got information on purported intricate money-laundering operations and criminal proceeds on March 30.