Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan has demanded a public apology from the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over recent allegations made by Gachagua against a businessman who owns a popular mall in Eastleigh.
The MP made these demands in a social media statement on January 6, where he warned the former DP against targeting businessmen in politics.
The parliamentarian now wants Gachagua to retract his statement and issue an unreserved public apology.
“Mr. Gachagua must retract his false and unsubstantiated claims, issue an unreserved public apology and forthwith cease and desist from engaging in inflammatory rhetoric targeting legitimate investments and lawful businesses in the country,” the statement read.
Adan Keynan claims that the attack on the businessman is ethnically motivated, calling upon the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate the statements and institute legal actions against Gachagua.
“I therefore formally call upon the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to urgently investigate the inflammatory and unfounded statements made by Mr. Rigathi Gachagua and to institute appropriate legal action in respect of hate speech and ethnic incitement,” the MP stated.
In the statement, the MP defended the unnamed Eastleigh businessman, saying that the mall was developed through verifiable private equity investments and regulated banking channels, opposing Gachagua’s claims that the businessman had started the mall allegedly from proceeds of fraud that Gachagua purported originated from Minnesota.
The former Deputy President, while attending a church service at AIPCA Kiratina in Githunguri on January 4, alleged that the businessman is a key person of interest in a Ksh30 billion (USD300 million) fraud and money laundering scheme in Minnesota, United States.
Gachagua linked the businessman with President William Ruto, claiming that the businessman funded the UDA campaigns in the last general elections.
The accusations have now drawn criticism towards Gachagua, with the Eldas MP defending the character of the unnamed businessman. Keynan claims that the businessman has an unblemished record, with no allegation of misconduct ever associated with his name. The MP claims that the reputation renders the allegations levelled against the unnamed businessman reckless and malicious.
His remarks were complemented by a similar message by the Chair of Governors and Wajir Member of Parliament Ahmed Abdullahi, who warned Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of inheriting Gachagua’s enemies in the presidential race, claiming that whenever Gachagua speaks, the support for President Ruto surges.
The COG chair has also advised the accused businessman to file legal charges against the former DP for defamation.
