Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua met his former University of Nairobi classmate, Ichangai Muiruri, in Botswana, on Sunday morning, April 23, with the two reminiscing their youthful days.
Gachagua recalled that Muiruri, an entrepreneur based in Gaborone, played a key role in Gachagua's land investment.
In 1989, the businessman paid Gachagua Ksh3,000, funds the DP used to purchase Ksh50,000 land in Kiambu County, currently worth Ksh15 million.
“I thanked him for giving me a business opportunity in 1989 when he hired my mobile Disco for his pre-wedding and subsequent wedding evening party and paid me Ksh1,500 for both occasions.
“With the Ksh 3,000 from Ichangai, I added another Ksh 2000 to place a Ksh 5000 deposit. It was a 10% deposit for a quarter of an acre plot at Kahawa Sukari in Nairobi that was then selling at Ksh50,000,” he narrated.
Gachagua further revealed that he received a lot of offers to sell the plot, which significantly appreciated over the years.
“Today, I receive daily offers to sell the same plot for Ksh 15 million. Tumetoka mbali! Tena mbali saana (Our relationship goes far),” commented Gachagua.
Gachagua, in March 2022, stated that he was worth Ksh800 million with wealth accrued through his businesses and career in the civil service.
Muiruri, who currently runs Botswana's biggest land valuation company, also advised him on various opportunities Kenyans can exploit.
“I invited him to catch up with me in my early morning run. As we walked through the streets of Gaborone, we traced our treasured memories of the Eighties.
“He took me through the opportunities in real estate and farming in Botswana that Kenyans can invest in,” commented the one-time Mathira Constituency Member of Parliament (MP).
Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas, travelled to Botswana to represent President William Ruto at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit Africa.
Other government officials who accompanied the DP included Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, and High Commissioner to Botswana, Mohamed Shidiye.
The delegates met with Kenyans living in the Southern African nation on Saturday evening, April 22, shortly after landing, where they discussed various issues centred around reviving the economy.
