The High Court has ordered United Democratic Alliance (UDA) deputy presidential candidate Rigathi Gachagua to surrender Sh202 million to the government for failing to explain its source.
The High Court judge, Justice Esther Maina ruled that the funds held in his four accounts are proceeds of crime and the same are liable to forfeiture to the state.
Justice Maina ruled that the MP admitted that he received the funds form government agencies but there was no evidence that he supplied any services or goods to the government.
“I have carefully considered the evidence on record including affidavits, annexures and submissions by all parties and I am satisfied that the funds are liable for forfeiture to the government,” the judge said.
The funds, at Rafiki Microfiinance Bank, are held in three accounts with one holding Sh165 million, a second account holding Sh35 million and the other holding Sh773,228.
All three are registered in the MP’s names while the fourth account, holding Sh1,138,142, is registered in the name of Jenne Enterprises.
Gachagua’s three personal accounts at Rafiki Microfinance Bank were suspended in May 2020 due to accusations of money laundering.
Gachugua was under investigation for allegedly conspiring with Nyeri county and the State Department of Irrigation officials through his businesses and close friends to obtain money thought to be the proceeds of crime.
Senior resident magistrate Muthoni Nzibe granted ARA’s request and ordered all accounts to be frozen for a number of days, preventing Gachagua from doing any transactions.