Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua on Monday July 26, 2021 secured his release from police custody after managing to raise the hefty cash bail that he was granted after spending the weekend behind bars.
Gachagua appeared before Milimani chief magistrate Lawrence Mugambi on Monday secured his release after paying Sh12 million bail granted by an anti-corruption court in a Sh7.4 billion graft case.
The lawmaker is said to have fraudulently received a sum of Sh7 billion through three different bank accounts in his name at Rafiki Micro-finance Bank. He received the property between 2013 and 2020 in Nairobi while knowing that it formed part of the proceeds of crimes.
Gachagua was arrested at 3am in his Nyeri home on Friday, and faced six counts of economic crimes, including conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, money laundering, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
After being released, the lawmaker took to his official social media accounts to reveal how he managed to raise the hefty cash bail in just three hours. He expressed gratitude to his friends who helped him raise the cash.
“I thank God that I am finally at home with my family after facing trumped up charges by the DCI on orders from State House… I thank all the friends who helped me raise the hefty cash bail in a record three hours,” Rigathi stated.
In addition, Rigathi expressed gratitude to his wife and children, his lawyers and Deputy President William Ruto for the support they accorded him.
Rigathi stated that police officers at the DCI headquarters and Gigiri Police Station had treated him with respect and dignity and were professional in discharging their duties.
During his appearance in court, Gachagua was flanked by members of the Tangatanga wing of the ruling Jubilee Party, among them Kimani Ichung’wa, Irungu Kang’ata, Alice Wahome, Kipchumba Murkomen, Nixon Korir, Aaron Cheruiyot and Gladys Boss Shollei.
Gachagua is accused alongside William Wahome, Anne Ruo, Julianne Makaa, Samuel Ireri, Grace Wambui, Lawrence Kimaru, Irene Wambui, David Nyangi and M/S Rapid Medical Supplies Limited.
They are accused of conspiring to defraud the Nyeri county government of Sh27 million between May 2015 and December 2016. His co-accused persons were, however, not present in court. Gachagua denied any wrongdoing.
In respect of the fraudulent acquisition of public property, it is alleged Gachagua, Nyangi, and Rapid Supplies Ltd fraudulently acquired public property at Sh6 million. The money was part of a payment purportedly for the supply of dialysis machines to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.
Gachagua further faced two counts of money laundering. He denied indirectly receiving Sh104 million from Bungoma county government and engaging in transactions to conceal the movement of the cash even with the knowledge that it was proceeds of crime.
He also allegedly indirectly received Sh7.5 million from the Kwale government between September 2015 and September 2016 in Nairobi with others not before court.
The court ordered the accused persons to appear before the court on August 3, 2021. A pre-trial was also scheduled for August 9.
