Ichung'wah: How Gachagua’s Sh250 million 'demand' triggered fallout with Ruto

By Wanderi Kamau

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has alleged that a demand for Sh250 million by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was the final straw that led to his fallout with President William Ruto.

In an interview with Kogi’s Corner Online TV on Friday, March 28, 2025, Ichung’wah disclosed that the dispute between Gachagua and President Ruto started over the allocation of funds under the Confidential Fund.

“Just one year into their presidency, former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u and PS Chris Kiptoo approached President Ruto and told him that Gachagua was intimidating them, insisting that he was an equal partner in government and that they had to follow his directives. He demanded an additional allocation of Sh250 million to his office,” Ichung’wa stated.

According to Ichung’wa, Treasury officials explained to Ruto that such a request could only be fulfilled under Article 223 of the Constitution, which allows the government to withdraw funds from the Treasury without Parliament’s approval in cases of emergencies. At the time, the country was experiencing severe flooding, and the government was channeling funds towards disaster mitigation efforts.

Ruto rejects Gachagua’s request

“Ruto directed them to decline and ignore Gachagua’s request,” Ichung’wah said, adding that the Treasury officials informed the President that Gachagua had already exhausted all the money allocated to his office.

Ichung’wah further alleged that at the time of his demand, Gachagua’s office had already spent Sh780 million under the Confidential Fund, funds he allegedly used to acquire luxury hotels in Nairobi, Nyeri, Vipingo, and other locations, as well as vast tracts of land.

“He even called me personally, requesting that Parliament approve more money for the Confidential Fund under his office. I refused,” Ichung’wah stated.

Ichung’wa, who previously served as Chair of the Parliamentary Budget Committee during Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, said he had introduced strict measures to prevent the misappropriation of public funds under the Confidential Fund.

“That was the same money that former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i used for corruption. I ensured there were controls to stop such misuse,” he added.

Ruto shielded Gachagua from impeachment twice

Ichung’wah revealed that despite the growing discontent among MPs over Gachagua’s conduct, President Ruto twice intervened to prevent his impeachment.

“Ruto personally stopped Gachagua’s impeachment in July last year. It was not the President who had a problem with him; it was the MPs,” Ichung’wah disclosed.

He stated that for nearly one and a half years, he was caught in the crossfire between Gachagua and Mount Kenya MPs, trying to mediate peace between them.

“I warned Gachagua that the war he had started with the MPs would turn disastrous for him. He refused to listen,” he said.

Fear of Ndindi Nyoro and allegations of funding bloggers

According to Ichung’wa, Gachagua’s troubles with MPs escalated when he became suspicious that Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was positioning himself to bypass him as the most senior politician from Mount Kenya.

Ichung’wah further alleged that Gachagua was financing bloggers to tarnish the names of President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto, while at the same time promoting his own image and that of former Second Lady Dorcas Rigathi.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. Photo/Citizen Digital

“When I confronted him about the online propaganda against the President, he vehemently denied paying bloggers. He instead blamed Dennis Itumbi, claiming that he was the one creating a wedge between him and the President,” Ichung’wa claimed.

Kindiki and Murkomen denied entry into Gachagua’s office

Ichung’wa recounted an incident when President Ruto, ahead of his 2024 state visit to the U.S., instructed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to meet with Gachagua to discuss the allegations against him.

However, upon arriving at Gachagua’s office, they were told he was not available and were asked to return another day.

“A GSU officer informed Kindiki and Murkomen that Gachagua had instructed him to tell them he was not present,” Ichung’wa revealed.

Later, Gachagua called Kindiki, saying he was at a family meeting and could not meet them at that time.

“Please come on Tuesday,” Gachagua told Kindiki, according to Ichung’wa.

Snubbing Ichung’wah and Duale

Ichung’wa further revealed that after returning from the U.S. trip, he requested a mediation meeting between himself, Gachagua, and Health CS Aden Duale (then Defense CS), but the former Deputy President snubbed them.

“He later requested to meet me privately,” Ichung’wah disclosed, though he did not specify what was discussed in that meeting.

Fallout confirmed

Ichung’wha’s revelations provide insight into the deep cracks that led to Gachagua’s estrangement from President Ruto and his eventual exit from power. The financial disputes, suspicions of political maneuvering, and allegations of undermining the President ultimately sealed Gachagua’s fate.

With Gachagua now out of government, political analysts predict a major reconfiguration of M Kenya politics, with new leaders expected to emerge in the region.

By going to press, Gachagua’s team had not responded to Newsflash’s calls and texts.