Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua contributed Ksh10 million towards securing bail for young people arrested during the 2024 Gen Z protests.
Speaking during a DCP Party youth engagement event on Monday, August 24, she cited the former Deputy President’s alleged contribution as evidence of his commitment to supporting young Kenyans and their participation in the country’s leadership.
"Our party leader is committed to the leadership of young people in Kenya. Our party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, contributed Ksh10 million towards securing bail for those arrested during the demonstrations," she said.
Maina also recalled her own involvement in defending young people arrested during the protests, saying she spent long hours in court supporting those facing charges.
"During the Gen Z protests, I was in the frontline defending those arrested during the protests. I could enter the court at 7 a.m. and leave court late in the evening," she added.
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Maina further said Gachagua had assured young people seeking elective positions that the DCP would provide an open political space through its nomination process.
"He has also assured us that our party will conduct free, fair and transparent nominations, giving every aspiring leader an equal opportunity to compete," she further said.
Elsewhere, this comes weeks after Maina said she would not recommend Gachagua to take the Ksh50 million awarded to him as compensation by the High Court.
Speaking on Monday, June 8 night, she said the petition was never about money but about seeking justice for the former Deputy President.
Maina expressed confidence that Gachagua would decline the compensation awarded by the high court.
"We are not here for the money; it is not about the money; it is about the integrity of the Constitution. It is about the integrity of the processes that are undertaken by our institutions that are governed by law.
"I would not recommend Gachagua to take the 50 million. And I am certain, I know Gachagua very well; he would not take that. We did not come to court to get awarded monies; we came here for justice and to defend the rule of law," she stated.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Freda Mugambi upheld the impeachment of Gachagua by the Senate.
However, the High Court judges ruled that the Senate infringed on Gachagua's right to a fair trial by proceeding with the impeachment motion in his absence after he was taken ill.
The High Court ordered the Senate to pay the former Deputy President Ksh50 million in damages for the violation.
