Man Alleges Gachagua Secretly Asked Him to Buy Brother’s Hotel for Ksh.412M

The impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a dramatic turn following new witness testimony regarding the ownership of the Olive Garden Hotel. This hotel is one of the key properties listed in the motion accusing Gachagua of acquiring assets through graft, a claim he vehemently denies, asserting that the hotel belongs to his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua.

Key Highlights:

Witness claims Deputy President Gachagua tried to secretly acquire the Olive Garden Hotel through a Ksh. 412 million deal.
Gachagua maintains that the hotel belongs to his deceased brother and denies any ownership.
The Olive Garden Hotel is among four properties linked to Gachagua in the impeachment motion, all alleged to have been acquired corruptly.
Gachagua is set to face the Senate for his final defence as the impeachment proceedings unfold.

The alleged report

In his statement, witness Peterson Muchira revealed that Gachagua approached him on March 31, 2023, persuading him to purchase the hotel through an “informal secret agreement.” Muchira alleged that Gachagua intended to buy the hotel for Ksh. 412 million and even directed a contractor to renovate it once the transaction was completed.

“The Deputy President would instruct and pay a contractor to renovate the hotel after the completion of the transaction,” Muchira stated, highlighting Gachagua’s involvement in the hotel’s operations.

Muchira also claimed that Gachagua employed a proxy, Julianne Jahenda, to protect his interests in the hotel, with Jahenda serving as the signatory agent and manager of the facility. “I have so far allowed Ms. Julianne Jahenda to run the hotel as agreed with the Deputy President,” he added, raising further questions about the true ownership of the property.

Gachagua’s denial and legal struggles

During his defence before the National Assembly on October 8, Gachagua asserted, “The allegations that I own the Olive Garden Hotel are false. The truth is the hotel used to belong to my deceased brother and therefore has never been my property.” His legal battles have intensified as he faces mounting scrutiny over multiple properties, including Vipingo Beach Resort, Queensgate Apartment, and Lang’ata Highrise Flats, which he also claims belonged to his late brother.

Background: Ongoing Legal Challenges

Gachagua’s case comes amid a turbulent political landscape, where allegations of corruption and misuse of power have become increasingly common. Despite the severity of the allegations, his legal team has attempted to halt Senate proceedings, but their request was denied, setting the stage for a critical showdown.

As Gachagua prepares to present his final defence in the Senate, the outcome of this impeachment process could have significant implications for his political career and Kenya’s broader fight against corruption. The public awaits to see if he can successfully defend himself against the serious charges that threaten his position in government.