Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday sustained the debate of alleged brazen embezzlement of taxpayers’ money by senior government officials in the previous regime of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta days the last general elections.
Speaking yesterday during a Church Service and Jesus Winners Church in Roysambu, without naming names, Gachagua sensationally claimed that billions of shillings from the public coffers were transferred to accounts locally and abroad as the country focused on August 2022 polls.
He claimed senior government officials who included Cabinet Secretaries went on a looting spree soon after President William Ruto was declared the winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the day he was sworn in on September 13, the DP said.
In what plays out like a theatre, the DP says the powerful officials initiated the massive theft of up to Sh24 billion when it became apparent that President Ruto had won against their candidate Azimio’s Raila Odinga and there would be no turning back.
“On realising that the election was lost, they stole all the money and transported it in gunny bags. Between the day IEBC announced Mr Ruto as President and the time he was sworn in they looted more than Sh24 billion.” Gachagua asserted.
The petition, the DP added, was a cover to allow the powerful government officials-whose details he promised to give-to empty public coffers without raising suspicion.
“Even the Mzee (presidential candidate Odinga) did not want to file the petition but he was pushed to do so to give them room to steal public money between the time of the hearing of the petition and the swearing in,” he said.
Gachagua added that the looted money was transported via Wilson Airport—Police Airwing—to private homes.
“They were aware that the case was lost and so they wanted to loot and go their way. In the next few days I will tell Kenyans who stole the money.” Said the DP.
Meanwhile, the DP said the government was focused on bringing down the cost of living and would stop at nothing to ensure that there was no monopoly in the production of gas and cylinders.
Competition in production, the DP said, would kill monopolies including in the milk sector and the government’s intention is to ensure that the prices come down through healthy competition.
He took issue with reports in the media indicating that ongoing efforts to lower the cost of living was informed by their political differences with certain individuals saying the Kenya Kwanza’s focus is to raise the standards of the people.
“We need more competition so gas prices can come down. That’s what will happen, you can make a lot of noise but it will come down. It’s the same thing with milk. We are opening that sector for more competition,” the DP stated.
Already Kenyans are enjoying lower unga prices which have dropped from Sh230 per 2kilograms when they took over last September to Sh180, he affirmed.
The DP also dismissed critics questioning their church attendance every Sunday saying they were not about to relent, promising to always join worshippers to thank God for their electoral victory.
“We shall be in church every Sunday to express our gratitude to God because it’s Him who has put us where we are. We shall never lack words to say how grateful we are,” he said.
The DP also thanked Jesus Winner Ministry Church Bishop Edward Mwai for praying for the President and him ahead of the last elections.
“It’s very emotional to be back here. The last time we came here with the President, we were in much trouble but we knelt before God and the Bishop prayed for us and God delivered us victory.” Gachagua said.
On political leadership, Gachagua said the President and himself would continue mentoring the younger leaders in Kenya Kwanza citing examples of the new United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Cleophas Malala, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache MP) and others “because it’s the best thing to do.”
He praised Sakaja for running the city well adding that they would not hesitate to guide him and others where necessary.
Leaders who joined him for the service told off the opposition leaders planning demonstrations saying Kenyans had moved on and were only expecting to be served.
“There’s a time for everything. Kenyans are tired of politics. They elected us and now we have jobs to deliver. People are demanding results. We won’t allow anyone to destroy properties belonging to our people in Nairobi. We will protect our people’s property from any violent protesters,” said Governor Johnson Sakaja who thanked the DP for spearheading the cleaning of Nairobi River.
Embakasi Central MP Mejja Donk said those planning demonstrations should be allowed to do so as long as they remained peaceful.
“They can demonstrate as long as it’s peaceful. They should not be allowed to touch people’s property,” he said.
Other leaders who joined the DP were Nominated Senators Karen Nyamu and Tabitha Mutinda, MPs Mwafrika Augustine (Roysambu), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Peter Irungu (Kangema), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Machua Waithaka (Kiambu Town), Betty Maina (Murang’a Woman Rep), Mwangi Karobia (Eala), Ann Wamuratha (Kiambu Woman Rep), John Wanjiku (Kiambaa), David Kiaraho (Ol Kalou), James Wamacukuru (Kabete) and Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North).