The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against five allies of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused of planning and financing anti-government protests in June.
A statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) indicated that the five will be charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.
“Upon careful perusal, the DPP has directed that there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspects with the offense of conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 393 of the Penal code,” read a letter dated September 26, 2024.
On Thursday, a letter from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) recommended charges against Members of Parliament Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), George Theuri (Embakasi West), former Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri, and Gachagua’s Private Secretary, Pius Munene after conducting thorough investigations.
They face charges of soliciting or inciting others to commit an offense under Section 391 of the Penal Code, conspiracy to commit a felony under Section 393, and money laundering under Sections 3, 4, and 7 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
Did you read this?
However, Gachagua denied claims of aiding the violent June 25 Gen Z-led protests that led to an invasion of Parliament.
In a statement, he denounced what he terms as ‘trumped up charges’ by DCI on his office staff and members of Parliament who allied with him.
He cried foul over using the criminal justice system to manage politics.
“Kenyans also know what the real problems in Kenya are. They surely know Rigathi Gachagua is not among them. Let our agencies remain professional, follow the rule of law and keep off politics,” he stated.
He argued that the plan is to try to associate them with violent demonstrations in late June, a futile attempt to soil his name and create grounds for the mooted impeachment proceedings against him.
