Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited a political war with allegations targeting the Somali community in Kenya, while also dragging the United States into Kenya’s domestic political arena.
Speaking during a church service in Kiambu, Gachagua claimed that funds intended to assist people with disabilities in Minnesota, United States, were allegedly stolen, sent to Kenya, and used to acquire property, including farms, houses, and businesses.
He specifically linked one Eastleigh mall to these funds, asserting that the owner is a business partner of President William Ruto.
Gachagua urged U.S. President Donald Trump to conduct in Kenya a forceful operation similar to the one carried out in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. He said:
“Pale Minnesota kulikuwa na pesa ya kusaidia people with disability iyo pesa ikaibiwa ikaletwa hapa Kenya wakanunua mashamba, nyumba na wakajenga malls. Sasa America wakajua wameanza kutafuta hawa watu ngine ilianza kusaidia campaign ya Rais. Iko mall iko Eastleigh ilijengwa na hiyo pesa, uyo mwenye wa hiyo mall ni business partner wa Rais. Michele ile imeagizwa imalize watu wa Mwea imepewa uyu mwenye wa hiyo mall ambaye hiyo pesa ilitolewa uko Minnesota. Rais anapanga wapewe court order uyu mwenye wa hiyo mall asiende America. We are asking you Trump, don’t bother about the extradition process in Kenya, wewe fanya vile ulifanya Venezuela, because Ruto amesema jamaa asitolewe huku. Huyo jamaa ndiye bado anahangaisha wakulima wa Mwea sababu amepewa kandarasi ya kuleta duty free rice. Tunataka hiyo ndege ya kumkujia ata Kasongo atakuwa amehusika na pesa ya Minnesota, awekwe kwa hio ndege pia yeye.”
Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi dismissed Gachagua’s accusations as unfounded, responding on social media:
“Hon @rigathi thinks America is led by liars/dimwits like HIMSELF. He doesn’t know America knows the colours & sizes of his underwear and knows too well the source & funds that built BBS Mall. Sad that a TRIBAL AYATOLLAH has pretences to national leadership.”
Although Gachagua presented no concrete evidence to support his claims, the remarks have intensified political tensions. Gachagua and the Somali community in Kenya have clashed repeatedly over the years, with disputes arising over governance, resources, and political representation.
This latest episode, involving both domestic allegations and the controversial dragging to U.S. intervention, marks another chapter in their ongoing political rivalry and highlights the sensitive intersection of ethnicity, politics, and public perception in Kenya.