Lawyer James Orengo has defended efforts to remove Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office, accusing him of misappropriating funds from his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua’s estate.
Orengo made these claims during an impeachment hearing before the Senate on Wednesday.
Orengo questioned the legitimacy of Gachagua's management of his late brother's estate and raised concerns about how he executed Nderitu's will.
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According to Orengo, Gachagua allegedly withdrew funds from his brother’s accounts shortly after his death, using them to acquire several prime properties, including the well-known Treetops and Outspan hotels in Nyeri County.
While Gachagua insisted that most of his wealth was inherited from his brother, Orengo, who represented the National Assembly in the trial, he argued that the execution of the will appeared suspicious.
He pointed out that Gachagua traveled to London on February 16, 2017, where his brother was receiving treatment. The next day, Gachagua allegedly persuaded his brother to sign the will, just days before Nderitu's death on February 24, 2017.
Orengo emphasized that Gachagua began accessing the funds immediately after his brother’s passing. He claims that Gachagua used the money to acquire additional properties, including Olive Gardens, Treetops, and Outspan hotels.
Orengo further asserted that Gachagua's actions amounted to misappropriating funds from his late brother's estate, potentially constituting a criminal offense. “The acquisition of these properties is rooted in criminal conduct,” Orengo argued.
However, Gachagua's lawyer, Advocate Elisha Ongoya, dismissed the allegations, stating they were aimed at inciting public outrage and had no legal basis.
