The government has broken its silence following claims by the Democracy for the Citizens Party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, that President William Ruto and his administration benefited from the alleged theft of funds linked to the Minnesota fraud case.
The allegations were made by Gachagua on Sunday during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina in Komothai, Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County. He called for the intervention of the United States to investigate Kenya’s leadership over the alleged sponsorship involving the contested funds.
In a statement issued on Monday, January 5, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui dismissed the claims, noting that Gachagua was previously the running mate to President Ruto, a fact he said raises questions about the motive behind the accusations.
Kinyanjui criticised the call for foreign intervention, arguing that matters of international gravity should not be reduced to tools for settling domestic political scores.
While noting that investigations do not fall within his mandate, the CS said the failure to separate political rivalry from issues with serious diplomatic implications was alarming and reckless.
He cautioned that seeking foreign intervention against one’s own country for political gain was reckless and regressive, warning it could harm Kenya’s international standing and carry serious repercussions.
"How can a leader seek to throw his own country into the deep end merely to score personal revenge? This brand of politics is regressive and dangerous. It reflects raw greed and naivety in handling matters that could have potentially catastrophic consequences," Kinyanjui said.
Meanwhile, Gachagua alleged that, apart from a portion of the funds being used to finance political campaigns, some of the money was also used to construct a mall in Eastleigh. He claimed the mall’s owner is a business associate of the President.
“That money was meant to help people living with disabilities. It was stolen, brought to Kenya, and invested in land, houses, and the construction of a mall,” Gachagua claimed.
Adding that, “The United States knows where the money went, and they are now looking for it. Part of that money was allegedly given to Ruto for campaigns.”
Gachagua went on to appeal directly to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging American authorities to fast-track the extradition of suspects linked to the alleged fraud, similar to the extradition of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured in his country and sent to the U.S. to face charges.
“We are appealing to Trump. Do not bother with the court process. Just do what you did in Venezuela. Send a plane, pick that fellow and prosecute him,” he said.
