The Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) has handed back Sh202 million belonging to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which was forfeited to the state courtesy of a corruption case last year.
This is after the Court of Appeal on the request of ARA vacated the forfeiture order issued by the High Court last year and also set aside the said judgment of the High Court.
ARA had said that after gathering new evidence, they found out that the money forfeited to the was not proceeds of crime and that the Deputy President had explained the source and legitimacy of the said money.
This means that funds held in three accounts at Rafiki Microfinance Bank in the name of the Deputy President will be released to him. Funds held in another account belonging to Jenne Enterprises will also be released.
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The funds, at Rafiki Microfinance Bank, are held in three accounts with one holding Sh165 million, a second account holds Sh35 million and the other is holding Sh773,228. A fourth account, holding Sh1,138,142, is registered in the name of Jenne Enterprises, a company associated with the DP.
Gachagua had during the campaigns promised to recover the money once they take over the government.
“You know this government froze my account. When we take power, I will take my money back and I will come and build a home here in Kieni so that you can come to visit me. I will build a nice house and also a nice place where men can grill meat and also drink what we drink as we talk,” Gachagua said.
“For the women, we will have a nice place for them where they will be coming to visit his wife as they drink porridge while singing and dancing.”
Gachugua was being investigated for claims of colluding with officials from Nyeri county and the state department of Irrigation through his companies and close associates to receive money suspected to be proceeds of crime.
