NAIROBI — National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of attempting to extort KSh300 million from China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) during his tenure as Deputy President.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament grounds on Tuesday while flanked by lawmakers allied to the broad-based government, Ichung’wah also alleged that Gachagua demanded KSh10 billion to help “fix Mount Kenya politics” while serving in government.
On the CRBC allegations, Ichung’wah claimed that Gachagua sought KSh300 million from the Chinese state-owned construction company over alleged transgressions dating back to the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Rigathi’s bitterness with China Road and Bridge Corporation exposes his insatiable greed. While calling others corrupt, Ragathi is the high priest of corruption. He attempted to extort Ksh.300 million from CRBC when he was Deputy President for their alleged transgressions during Uhuru Kenyatta regime,” he said.
According to Ichung’wah, CRBC rejected the alleged demand, maintaining that its contracts were subject to Kenyan law and oversight by relevant government institutions.
“CRBC being a state-owned enterprise, owned by the government of China, declined his demands,” Ichung’wah stated.
He added that CRBC contracts are “subjected to the laws of Kenya” and scrutinised by institutions including the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
The Kikuyu MP further accused Gachagua of making unsubstantiated claims and attempting to undermine government institutions and security agencies for political purposes.
“He has made numerous, wild and frivolous allegations without proof. He is determined to dilute objective national security agencies by aiming his petty political arsenals to diligent security officers,” said Ichung’wah.
The allegations come amid escalating political differences between Gachagua and members of President William Ruto’s administration.
Gachagua has yet to publicly respond to Ichung’wah’s latest accusations.
