MPs Go After Gachagua Over Mansion Spending In Karen

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s challenges are far from resolved.

This follows President William Ruto reportedly permitting his MPs to target him for misusing taxpayers’ billions on his Karen mansion.

MPs are investigating an alleged misappropriation of approximately Ksh1. 2 billion renovation budget by impeached DP Rigathi Gachagua’s office for the upgrade of his residence and offices.

The National Assembly Committee on Security, during a session with officials from the Office of the Deputy President, inquired about the utilization of the multi-billion funds in the renovation of Gachagua’s Karen residence, Harambee Annexe Office, and Mombasa office.

The legislators expressed concern regarding the expenditure on the repairs, suggesting that the Ksh1. 2 billion budget allocated for the renovation might exceed the actual cost of the work.

According to a report presented to the committee by the officials, Ksh400 million has already been spent on the repairs of the Harambee Annexe Office, the Karen residence, and the Mombasa office.

Officials informed the MPs that part of the funds allocated for the repair of the Harambee Annexe was utilized to fix damaged kitchens, construct new washrooms, and plant flowers, expenditures which the committee deemed wasteful.

The report submitted to the committee further indicated that the refurbishment projects expected to be completed within 5 years, up to June 2027, were 45 percent finished at the Harambee Annexe.

The MPs questioned how the renovations at the Karen residence, projected to cost Ksh560 million, were nearly half completed while less than Ksh250 million had been spent from the budget designated for the 2023/2024 financial year.