Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed how he spent Ksh1.5 million that had been donated to support retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election campaign in 2017, admitting that he diverted the money to address his own financial difficulties.
In a surprising revelation, Gachagua narrated how Uhuru’s first cousin, the late Beatrice Wambui Muturi, personally visited his home with the money after the Supreme Court nullified the August 2017 presidential election, hoping to help Uhuru secure victory in the repeat election.
Speaking during the requiem mass for the late Beatrice Wambui at PCEA Nairobi West, Gachagua recalled that the political uncertainty following the court decision had left the Jubilee campaign team exhausted and financially strained.
According to Gachagua, Wambui was concerned about the situation and believed he was among the people capable of helping organise a successful re-election campaign.
He said she arrived at his residence carrying Ksh1.5 million wrapped in a nylon paper bag, instructing him to use the money to support Uhuru’s campaign.
However, Gachagua admitted that he did not channel the contribution to the intended purpose.
Instead, he used the money to settle personal financial obligations after the expenses of the first election had left him financially strained.
Gachagua explained that he had just emerged from an expensive election campaign and was struggling financially, making the woman’s contribution an unexpected opportunity to address his immediate needs.
He admitted that instead of forwarding the money to the Jubilee campaign, he used it to clear some of his financial obligations.
“Huyu mama niko na deni yake, karibu nimlipe lakini sikumpata. When our election in 2017 was overturned by the supreme Court, we were very disappointed. Uhuru Kenyatta had won fair and square, Supreme Court said No, go back. We were down; we had money, we were exhausted. Huyu mama akanitafuta. She was very concerned. Of course she knew mimi ni mtu ya kazi, akasema we must do everything to make sure the repeat election is successful, so mimi nataka nichangie kitu. Akakuja mpaka nyumbani na pesa kwa karatasi ya nylon. Akaniambia hii pesa, Ksh1. 5 million, usukume kazi ya Uhuru Kenyatta. Lakini mimi nilikuwa broke; we had just come from an election. Sasa ile pesa ya mama ya kusaidia ndugu yangu Uhuru Kenyatta kwanza nikafunika nayo mashimo,” Gachagua confessed.
His remarks offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes financial arrangements and personal contributions that characterised the 2017 election campaigns.
The incident Gachagua was referring to dates back to September 1, 2017, when the Supreme Court, in a landmark 4-2 decision, nullified the August 8 presidential election won by Uhuru Kenyatta.
The court ruled that the election had not been conducted in accordance with the Constitution and applicable electoral laws, directing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to organise a fresh presidential election within 60 days.
The repeat election was eventually held on October 26, 2017, after initially being scheduled for October 17. Opposition leader Raila Odinga boycotted the repeat poll, which Uhuru won before being sworn in for his second and final term on November 28, 2017.
The rerun followed months of heightened political tension, disagreements over electoral reforms and protests in parts of the country.
Gachagua’s account now provides an interesting personal dimension to that politically charged period, revealing how one supporter allegedly attempted to finance Uhuru’s re-election through a direct cash contribution delivered to his residence.
His confession came during a gathering that also brought together several prominent political figures, including Uhuru, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa.
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