Win For Gachagua as DPP Drops Sh7.3 Billion Corruption Case

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Sh7.3 billion graft case has officially been withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.

The case withdrawal application was done on Wednesday after DPP told Magistrate Victor Wakumile that the decision is to allow the DCI to carry out proper investigations into the matter.

The court granted the DPP three weeks to review the Sh7.4 billion case involving Gachagua and nine others.

The 9 are William Wahome Mwangi, Grace Wambui Kariuki, Lawrence Kimaru, Irene Wambui Ndigiriri, David Reuben Nyangi Nguru, Anne Nduta Ruo, Julianne Jahenda Makaa, Samuel Murimi Ireri, and M/S Rapid Medical Supplies Ltd.

The DPP was granted until November 21 to return to court with directions on the trial.

The DPP told the court that he had received letters from some of the accused persons in the case seeking to have him review the evidence and charges against them.

The revelations come weeks after a senior DCI officer filed an affidavit incriminating former boss George Kinoti of rushing them through the investigation process.

In the affidavit, Obadiah Kuriah said he received directives from the DCI boss to "promptly carry out investigations, including recording of statements, searches, filing of affidavits in court for orders to access the accused persons' bank accounts among other activities".

This after the DCI received a letter from the Financial Reporting Centre on April 15, 2020, that detailed the alleged embezzlement of funds at the Irrigation board.

Kuriah said they were tasked with delivering the outcome of their investigations quickly.

"While investigations were still in progress, the director of DCI, Mr George Kinoti CBS, directed us to make recommendations that will enable the accused persons to face charges," he said.

He added:

"Based on immense pressure from my director, Mr Kinoti, my team made the recommendations. The accused persons were charged, and investigations could not continue as contemplated for various reasons."

Kuriah said some crucial areas of investigation that would have shed light in determining the innocence or otherwise of the accused persons were not covered.

And as such, the DCI officer asked the court for the withdrawal of the case to allow the matter to be investigated fully.