Unveiling Rigathi Gachagua’s Multi-Billion Business Empire

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, is not only known for his political career but also for his vast business empire that has amassed billions of Kenyan shillings over the years. Gachagua’s influence reaches various sectors, particularly in securing lucrative contracts with county governments and other government agencies.
Gachagua’s rise to prominence can be attributed in part to the passing of his brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua. Following his brother’s demise, Rigathi inherited additional assets, further expanding his business empire and cementing his position as a major player in the business sector.
However, Gachagua has not been free from controversy. He has faced numerous allegations of graft, which he has staunchly denied. In a significant turn of events, a Ksh 7.3 billion graft case against him and his associated companies was withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in November of last year. This happened just two months after Gachagua and William Ruto were sworn in as Deputy President and President, respectively.
Gachagua vehemently claimed that the charges were part of a politically motivated witch-hunt orchestrated by the previous administration led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The cases revolved around tenders secured by his companies to supply the Bungoma and Nyeri County governments. The withdrawal of the charges came as a surprise, with investigators citing “pressure” as the reason for their decision.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Gachagua’s companies continue to thrive in various sectors. His business interests span across medical supplies, construction, and real estate. One of the companies he holds a stake in is Encater Diagnostics Ltd, a medical supplies firm that has received an impressive Ksh123,175,000 after securing tenders to supply various county governments. Another notable venture is Technical Supplies and Services (K), a construction firm that has received a substantial sum of Ksh220,877,180.85 from the national government. Additionally, Rapid Medical Supplies, which is also associated with Gachagua, has received over Ksh 9 million.
Gachagua’s success in the business world can be attributed to his shrewdness and strategic decision-making. He has capitalised on opportunities within the public sector, leveraging his political connections to secure lucrative contracts. His vast business empire encompasses multiple sectors, allowing him to diversify his investments and minimise risk.
Skytop Agencies, one of the companies associated with Deputy President William Ruto, recently received a significant amount of money from both the national and county governments. According to reports, the company received Ksh20.6 million from the national government and Ksh2.05 million from county governments. This has sparked a debate among Kenyans about the transparency and accountability of public funds.
However, Skytop Agencies is not the only company linked to the Deputy President. Other companies associated with him include Wamunyoro Investments Limited, Riang International Group Limited, Machine Centre Ltd, and Jenne Enterprises. These companies have also been the subject of scrutiny and controversy in the past.
One of the key issues surrounding these companies is their connection to the former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua. In his will, Governor Gachagua left five percent of his estate, worth over Ksh2 billion, to his brother Rigathi, who is also associated with these companies. The remaining portion of the estate was divided among other family members.
Governor Gachagua’s will also revealed his intention to have most of his properties sold, except for three houses, including the Olive Garden Hotel in Nairobi, Vipingo Beach Resort in Kilifi, Queens Gate serviced apartments in Nairobi, and Mweiga Homes in Nyeri. The income generated from the sale was supposed to be shared among his family members according to his wishes.
These revelations have raised questions about the source of the wealth accumulated by the Deputy President and his associates. Critics argue that the significant amounts of money received by their companies from the government raises suspicions of corruption and misuse of public funds. However, Ruto has consistently defended himself, stating that he began his business ventures during his time as a student at the University of Nairobi.
The Deputy President has claimed that he organised parties for fellow students and earned money from these events. He has also mentioned his involvement in the confectionery industry, where he had a factory for sweets. Ruto asserts that he is a prudent businessman and has been involved in various successful ventures for over 40 years.