I will not resign, I will fight to the end, DP Gachagua declare amid ouster bid against him

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to fight his impeachment to the bitter end, vowing not to resign from his job as the principal assistant to president William Ruto.

Instead, he called those prevailing him to quit his job ahead of tomorrow’s impeachment debate as “jokers” bearing “silly” messages.

While addressing the nation from his Karen residence in Nairobi this evening, Gachagua revealed that some of his friends have been persuading him to step down from his job in order to avoid the impeachment motion tabled against him by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

“I urge those my friends who are coming to persuade me to resign to stop it because I will not resign… I have no intention to resign; I will fight to the end. How dare you suggest to me to resign?” Gachagua posed.

The embattled DP said it was Kenyans who elected him, and therefore he cannot be coerced to step down from his job by anyone other than Kenyans.

Gachagua said he had received reports suggesting that he was to desert his job before the lawmakers debate his impeachment in parliament.

“When I organised this press conference, I got reports suggesting that I wanted to resign. I want to say that I will fight until the end,” said Gachagua.

He also committed to honour summons by MPs to defend himself against the impeachment motion tomorrow.

“The impeachment of a Deputy President is not a trivial matter that can be swiftly decided by a few Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators,” he added.

Gachagua said he was committed to seeking justice through independent institutions, expressing hope that his impeachment would be dismissed.

“Certain individuals have tried to use my friends to sweet-talk me. My friends, I don’t want to become enemies with you. If you’re given such meaningless messages, please don’t bring them to me,” he warned.

In his motion, Mwengi outlined 11 grounds for impeachment, including gross Constitutional violations, abuse of office, misconduct, and insubordination.

In a spirited rebuttal, Gachagua hit back at allegations accusing him of amassing Sh5.2billion since assuming office, asserting that the properties in question predominantly belonged to his late brother, James Nderitu Gachagua.

He expressed outrage over the accusations and clarified his role as the executor of his brother’s estate.

“It is outrageous to drag my late brother’s estate into these baseless allegations.” Gachagua stated.

He explained that his brother, who passed away in February 2017, had appointed him as the executor of his will, and much of the wealth attributed to him is tied to that responsibility.

Gachagua disclosed that his late brother had left behind four significant properties, including a hotel and a high-rise apartment, with specific instructions in the will directing him to manage or sell these assets as needed.

Among these properties, the Olive Garden Hotel was sold for Sh412 million, with the proceeds distributed among the beneficiaries.

Another property, Queens Gate Apartment, was sold to a bank for Sh600 million, most of which was used to settle debts left by the former Nyeri governor.

Visibly emotional, Gachagua apologised to his late brother for the need to disclose the will’s details publicly.

“I take this opportunity to ask for forgiveness from my late brother James Nderitu Gachagua that today, as your younger brother defends himself, he’ll defile your privacy by distributing your will that you wrote in privacy.” He lamented.

“How unfair and cruel can you be to a dead man? My dear brother, rest in peace and forgive me for having joined politics because were it not for politics, you would not suffer this shame,” he added.

During the televised address, Gachagua also clarified his acquisition of parcels of land cited in the impeachment motion. MP Mutuse had claimed that the Deputy President acquired these properties as proceeds of crime.

However, Gachagua refuted the claims, particularly regarding parcels known as Ruguru Kiamarega. He noted that the land is not in Mathira East, as alleged, but in Mathira West and clarified that it does not possess a helipad.

“I bought the parcel for Sh3.5 million, and I use it for livestock farming.” He said.

According to Gachagua, he rears 150 heads of livestock on the land, yielding a monthly return of Sh1.5 million.

The deputy president emphasised the sentimental value of one of the properties, the Vipingo Beach Hotel, which the family decided to keep.

“Vipingo Beach Hotel reminds us of our beloved brother, and we have chosen to retain it as a family treasure.” Gachagua.

He further noted that Lang’ata Highrise Apartments remain part of the family estate.

Gachagua has strongly dismissed accusations claiming he improperly acquired 40 acres of land in Kakuret, Kieni Constituency.

Gachagua clarified that the property was sold to him by Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina in 2015, well before he took on any public office responsibilities.

“Had there been no malice, Njoroge Wainaina would have advised Mutuse [the motion’s sponsor] that he sold me this land in 2015.” Gachagua asserted, emphasising the legitimacy of the transaction.

Expressing his concerns over Wainaina’s current predicament, Gachagua claimed that the MP has been subjected to coercion and intimidation, allegedly compelling him to sign the impeachment motion against his will.

“I am sorry to hear that Wainaina is admitted in hospital because of threats and coercion,” Gachagua remarked. “He is being forced to hang a brother against his will and conscience.”