Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his spouse, Dorcas Gachagua, face mounting reports of financial impropriety, triggering calls for accountability.
Recent parliamentary inquiries have exposed questionable expenditure on property renovations and funds allocated to the Office of the Spouse to the Deputy President.
The refurbishment of key offices linked to Gachagua’s tenure has sparked controversy.
The Harambee Annex office, initially constructed for Ksh 600 million, required an additional Ksh 560 million for renovations yet achieved only 22% completion by June 2024.
The Karen residence saw Ksh 249 million spent on upgrades out of a projected Ksh 560 million budget, with only 45% of the work completed.
These renovations included expansions, upgrades to kitchenettes, lighting improvements, and a CCTV system.
A separate project at the Mombasa office consumed Ksh 49 million but showed only 21% progress.
These delays and substantial expenditures have led MPs to question the management of funds and the apparent lack of oversight. Critics suggest these projects represent a pattern of unchecked spending under Gachagua’s leadership.
Attention has also turned to Dorcas Gachagua and her office, which received Ksh 771.7 million during the former DP’s tenure.
Questions have arisen about whether this allocation met the threshold for prudent use of public funds, given the limited responsibilities of the office.
Allegations of undocumented revenue from the sale of obsolete items further tarnish the couple’s reputation, with MPs highlighting potential misrepresentation of financial transactions.
Civil society groups and public commentators have joined the call for a forensic audit to investigate the misuse of taxpayer funds.
These allegations come amid broader concerns about governance in Kenya, particularly under leaders who pledged fiscal discipline and transparency.
Gachagua’s claims that initial damages to the Karen residence were inherited from the previous administration have done little to deflect criticism.
The expenditure during his tenure now faces intense scrutiny as citizens question whether public resources were used for personal gain or extravagant projects lacking in public benefit.
This saga has cast a shadow over Gachagua’s legacy and sparked a broader debate on public accountability.
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