Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, aka Kanda ya Wira, has been the subject of discussion for two reasons: The Kiambaa by-election and graft allegations.
In Kiambaa, there is rivalry between him and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria over the hustler nation candidate in the July 15 by-election.
The differences were sparked by the move by UDA and the People’s Empowerment Party, all associated with Deputy President William Ruto, to front candidates for the upcoming Kiambaa by-election. The PEP candidate stepped down following a meeting with Ruto.
Rigathi is also fighting corruption allegations by state institutions. The legislator says the allegations are politically sponsored.
In a series of articles, People Daily reported that detectives are piecing together details of how he registered 49 companies that he allegedly used to trade with various agencies in an intricate web that saw him win tenders worth more than Sh12 billion. Gachagua has denied the claims.
In some instances, he has said, he was acting as a trustee of several companies listed as beneficiaries of his wealth.
“I want the President to tell [DCI George] Kinoti not to condemn people unheard. Don’t prosecute people in newspapers. Kinoti has prosecuted everybody in newspapers. You remember he said Sh95 billion has been stolen from Kenya Pipeline, two years down the line nothing has come out of it,” he told KTN News on July 1.
“The good thing is we have a working justice system, and what we have a problem with is the use of the criminal justice system to persecute people politically… Sh12 billion is a lot of money. I have [never] seen that kind of money in my life.”
This is not the first time the issue is coming up.
A year ago, the High Court froze more than Sh200 million in two accounts belonging to the MP. The two accounts, one containing Sh165 million and the other Sh35 million, were both at Rafiki Micro Finance Bank.
He told the Star at the time, “I am confident the court will grant me justice after according me an opportunity to be heard.”
Court documents showed Rigathi allegedly received more than Sh5.8 billion in seven years, attracting the attention of anti-graft agencies.
Rigathi Gachagua, 56, was born in Ruguru, Mathira constituency.
He is a brother of former Nyeri Governor, the late Nderitu Gachagua.
He joined Kabiruini Primary School for his Certificate of Primary Education between 1971 and 1977, before proceeding to Kianyaga High School for his O and A-levels until 1983.
Rigathi joined the University of Nairobi in 1985 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Literature in 1988.
Upon graduation, he was employed as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs where he worked between 1989 and 1990.
In 1990, he was recruited as a District Officer cadet and underwent training at the Administration Police Institute (Paramilitary Training) and the Kenya School of Government (Advanced Public Administration Course 1999-2000).
He served in the Provincial Administration as a DO for 14 years in various areas, among them Kirinyaga, Kiambaa, Limuru, Ng’arua, Kakamega and Garissa, with a short break as PA to Head of Public Service (1991-93).
Between 2001 and 2006, Rigathi was the PA to Uhuru Kenyatta, then Leader of Opposition.
When Uhuru was appointed Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, Rigathi left to do business. He is linked with Ridor Group of Companies and Wamunyoro Investments Limited, among others under the DCI radar.
He joined politics in 2017, when he was elected Mathira MP on the Jubilee Party ticket.
Soon after the election, a by-election was announced in his home ward of Ruguru, and an event during the campaigns thrust him into the national limelight.
His supporter was caught on camera slapping an election observer over claims she was allied to Maendeleo Chap Chap, a participant in the polls in Nyeri.
After a huge uproar, Gachagua distanced himself from the actions of James Wanjohi, the perpetrator, saying he could not be held responsible for the actions of each of his supporters.
Rigathi is now a popular TV panellist on Mt Kenya and national politics, and a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto in Central.
