Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua's bank accounts have been frozen for one week following an ongoing criminal investigation by Assets and Recovery Agency (ARA).
As reported by the Standard, on Friday, May 29, ARA has accused the legislator of money laundering and graft. Lawyer Stephen Githinji alleged that Gachagua was colluding with Nyeri County Government officials and public officers at the Irrigation docket to embezzle funds through his companies.
"There are reasonable grounds to believe that the accounts are used as conduits of money laundering contrary to sections three, four and seven and section 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
"There is a real danger that the funds suspected in the listed bank accounts may be withdrawn, transferred, spent or dissipate rendering this application and indeed recovery of the proceeds of crime nugatory," Githinji stated.
The court froze three accounts under Rigathi's name at a local bank. The accounts were registered under three firms, Wamunyoro Investment which has two accounts and Technical Supplies and Services Limited.
"It is hereby ordered that warrants to restrict debits for a period of seven days on the bank is hereby issued," Milimani Court Senior Resident Magistrate Muthoni Nzibe ruled.
The court also froze three more accounts owned by Crystal Kenya Limited, Jenne Enterprises and Encartar Diagnostics Limited.
Rigathi switched allegiance to Deputy President William Ruto and became one of President Uhuru Kenyatta's fiercest critics in the Mt. Kenya region.
The brother to former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua was a close aide of Uhuru during the 2002 polls.
