Gachagua’s Claims Of Looting At The Tail-end of Uhuru Presidency Were Shocking

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• I have evidence and in coming days I will name senior state officials in Uhuru government who stole your money.
• Four days later, the Controller of Budget made damning allegations that seemed to re-enforce what Gachagua had said.
• Appearing before the National Assembly Public Petition Committee, she claimed she had been coerced to approve Sh15bn.
• She showed the members the messages she had received from Treasury Cabinet   Secretary Ukur Yattani, asking her to urgently sign the approvals because the ‘directive came from the President and he was on my neck’.

A few days ago, the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua joined worshippers for a Sunday Service at Jesus Winner Church in Roysambu.

In his speech at the Altar, the DP once again launched a scathing attack on the former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his administration.

When President William Ruto and I assumed the reign of power, I told you that we inherited empty public coffers. There was nothing left even for a rat to eat.

He claimed that a huge chunk of money running into billions of shillings was looted at the tail-end of Uhuru presidency.

This Mzee, in apparent reference to Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga, did not plan to file a petition at the Supreme Court of Kenya.

He was pressured to do so by the top allies of the outgoing President. This gave them a chance to steal.

Within that period of hearing the petition, they stole Sh15 billion.

The money was being carried by sacks all the way to Wilson Airport and thereafter flown to thier respective homes in rural areas.

I have evidence and in coming days I will name senior state officials in Uhuru government who stole your money.

Four days later, the Controller of Budget made damning allegations that seemed to re-enforce what Gachagua had said.

Appearing before the National Assembly Public Petition Committee, she claimed she had been coerced to approve Sh15bn.

She showed the members the  messages she had received from Treasury Cabinet   Secretary Ukur Yattani, asking her to urgently sign the approvals because the ‘directive came from the President and he was on my neck’.

I am expecting his call soon to find out whether you have done that.

She said she had no recourse or any other option.

As a controller, I report to Parliament and relied on members to protect me when I was in trouble.

This time, the house had already been dissolved.

Listening to her script, one would be tempted to believe her. However, the timing was tellingly. Why ‘spill the beans’ just four days after Gachagua made his remarks?

The two made shared one thing in common.

President Kenyatta was a leader who preached water and drink wine. ‘He did not believe in the war against corruption’ as he wanted Kenyans to believe.

Get me right here. I’m not saying Gachagua was lying.

He, however, made weighty claims and this explains why many Kenyans were looking forward to see him proving them as he promised.

If it is proved that Uhuru Kenyatta was exerting pressure and facilitating theft of tax-payers’ money at the tail end of his administration, this would his lowest moment in his political life.

Many Kenyans particularly those supporting the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga have a lot of respect and trust in him. This trust will dissipate and run into headwinds.

Raila is likely to suffer the same fate.

This is because the two handshake partners were viewed as twins conjoined in the hip.

The other day, I heard Uhuru stating. “I did my 10 years. I’m now retired but I’m not tired. I believe in leadership of Azimio leader. Baba Raila is still my leader. If he tells me to face or turn this direction, I will oblige”

For Gachagua, he has so far used his skills of verbal communication very well.

For now, my unsolicited advise to him is. He should tone down on politics and focus more on reconstructing and rebuilding this nation.

My position is informed by the views of cross sections of Kenyans who aver. We have heard him and he has said it loud and clear. However, he should bear this in mind. The shoe is now being worn by President Ruto and himself.

It is now time to look forward but not backward.

This is what President Mwai Kibaki did. Reports indicated he had also inherited empty coffers.

Some Kenyans would also question Gachagua obsession with former President Uhuru’s family.

This is now too much and it is becoming like a personal war.

Everytime he wakes up, he lambasts this family.

We know Gachagua made his history of being the long serving Personal Assistant (PA) of Hon Uhuru Kenyatta during the reign of President Kibaki. This included the time when Uhuru served as the official leader of opposition.

So, we will wait to hear from Horse’s mouth. Maybe Gachagua will tell us what went wrong probably when he will settle down to write his history.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi