Gachagua ally spills the beans on hotel deal

A close ally of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has now presented to Parliament, a damning affidavit detailing how one of the hotels at the centre of the grounds for impeachment was acquired.

Peterson Njomo Muchira claims in the affidavit that he has had to clarify issues following contradictions between the Deputy President’s response and remarks made by MPs when debating on the motion.

Njomo alleges that he has knowledge of facts relating to sale of Olive Garden Hotel, which initially formed part of the estate of the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, the DP's elder brother.

“On or around March 31, 2023, the DP approached and convinced me to purchase the Olive Garden Hotel which was at the time part of the estate of the late Nderitu Gachagua. The DP persuaded me to enter into a formal secret arrangement regarding the transaction embodied in the agreement annexed on pages 10 to 34 of his response to the motion,” Njomo claims in the affidavit.

He alleges that the terms of the secret arrangement were that the DP would buy the hotel from him by refunding the purchase price of Sh412 million as stated in his response to the motion.

Njomo claims that the arrangement was that the DP would instruct and pay a contractor to renovate the hotel after completion of the transaction.

“To protect Gachagua’s undisclosed interest in the hotel, I would appoint Ms Julianne Jahenda as a signatory or agent for the hotel’s account at and to further protect the DP’s undisclosed interest, Ms Julianne Jahenda will run the hotel,” he claims.

To this end, Njomo alleges that he appointed Jahenda, a close associate of the DP, as a signatory and agent for purposes of the operation of the hotel’s bank account.

“I have so far allowed Ms Julianne Jahenda to run the hotel as agreed with the DP. I swear this affidavit to give Parliament helpful information and clarification alluded to. I am amenable, should Parliament so direct to appear and be cross examined on the contents of this affidavit,” says Njomo.

“The depositions in this affidavit and averments in the motion are accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, save for where I have relied on advise or information whose sources are disclosed,” he adds.

Kibwezi MP, Mwengi Mutuse presented 11 grounds, on which Gachagua should impeached, which included gross misconduct and violating the Constitution.

Among the allegations are claims that the DP has undermined the President, the Cabinet, and the effective execution of the national government’s executive functions.

Gachagua is also accused of undermining devolution and violating Article 160(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the institutional and decisional independence of judges.