DEPUTY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO BEST FRIEND APONEA CHUPUCHUPU

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has been granted a cash bail of Sh12 million with an alternative Sh25 million bond in a case in which he faces among others, graft charges.

Chief Lawrence Mugambi on Monday ordered the accused to deposit his passport with the court and not to contact or interfere with witnesses.

Rigathi is to be detained within court precincts until 5pm, when he is expected to have processed his bail.

A team of 10 lawyers are representing Gachagua in the case in which he faces six counts, including conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, fraudulent acquisition of property and money laundering.

Rigathi was arrested on Friday and spent the weekend in the cells.

He was picked up by DCI officers in the morning and driven to Nairobi.

His lawyers are Kioko Kilukumi, Alice Wahome, GladysSholei, Kipchumba Murkomen, Sylvanus Osoro, Irungu Kangata, Gibson Kimani, Wyclife Nyabuto, Amos Kisiwi and Paul Gacheru.

Kilukumi is leading the defence team.

Rigathi is accused alongside 10 others.

They are William Mwangi, Anne Ruo, Julianne Makaa, Samuel Ireri, Grace Kariuki, Lawrence Kimaru, Irene Ndigiriri, David Nguru and M/S Rapid Medical Supplies Ltd.

The ODPP is represented by Victor Owiti and others.

Earlier, Kilukumi asked that Rigathi be admitted to reasonable bail terms, adding that the values quoted in the charge sheet are not determinate on the bail the court should consider.

He also asked the court to consider the accused was arrested on Friday at 3am at his rural home in Nyeri.

Kilukumi urged the court to discourage the aspect of citizens being arrested on a Friday.

He has cited a High Court decision which was of the view that the ‘kamata kamata’ arrests as they are colloquially referred to, must not be permitted to take root.

“They decided to abuse power. What they did ought to be condemned. He should have been arraigned in court at least at noon when they arrested him at 3am,” Kilukumi said.

The case will be mentioned on August 9.

Courtesy The Star Kenya