Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has threatened legal action against a company that accused him of moving his female associate into a high-end apartment without paying the Ksh25 million purchase price.
Through his lawyers, Gachagua threatened to sue the company for defamation, accusing it of deliberately fabricating claims.
In a demand letter, Gachagua insisted that he had never engaged with the company, never set foot on the premises in question, and was a total stranger to the alleged transaction.
Also, Gachagua’s legal team demanded an unconditional retraction of the defamatory allegations in writing, together with a prominently published apology in at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation.
The letter also gave the company a strict 24-hour deadline to comply, warning that failure to do so would force them to file a defamation lawsuit without further reference.
The case arose after the firm, through its lawyers, demanded the immediate eviction of Gachagua and the female associate, an admission of liability for unlawful occupation, and payment of any sums accruing based on prevailing market indices.
They further warned that failure to comply with the directives would result in the firm invoking “all lawful means” to protect its client’s interests, including auctioning items placed in the apartment.
However, Gachagua’s lawyers faulted the company for making sensational and unfounded claims, which, according to them, have since spread widely on social and mainstream media, inciting public outrage and severely damaging Gachagua’s personal, family, social, and political reputation.
They argued that the allegations were not only factually untrue but reckless and made with total disregard for the truth.
“It is imperative to note that you made these statements knowing that they were not only factually wrong and unsubstantiated but also reckless with total disregard for the truth,” the letter stated.
Gachagua’s lawyers argued that the conduct constitutes defamation under the Defamation Act (Cap 36) and Article 33(3) of the Constitution, which curtails freedom of expression where it undermines the reputation and rights of others.
The case added to the growing controversies that have plagued Gachagua, with the former DP recently accused of secretly working with President William Ruto. This has caused ripples within the United Opposition, as the race towards the 2027 General Election heats up.
