Businessman Peterson Njomo Muchira, a close ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua submitted a sworn affidavit to the National Assembly of Kenya, claiming to have key evidence regarding the ongoing impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
One of the accusations that has been levelled against the DP is acquisition of hotels worth Ksh 5.2 billion among them Olive Garden Hotel.
The affidavit, submitted on October 11, 2024, raises questions about Gachagua’s involvement in the acquisition of assets linked to his deceased brother, Nderitu Gachagua.
Muchira, a shareholder and director of TM Civil Engineering Limited, reveals in the affidavit his personal knowledge of a secret arrangement between himself and the Deputy President regarding the sale of Olive Garden Hotel , a property initially part of the late Nderitu Gachagua’s estate.
According to the document, Gachagua convinced Muchira in March 2023 to purchase the hotel.
Muchira said that the sale of Olive Garden Hotel was part of a secret deal in which Gachagua allegedly agreed to refund the purchase price of Ksh 412 million to him.
The affidavit details a “secret arrangement,” indicating that Gachagua would eventually buy back the hotel after its renovation.
The hotel renovation was to be executed by a contractor appointed and paid by Gachagua.
To allegedly protect Gachagua’s undisclosed interest in the hotel, Muchira claimed he appointed Julianne Jahenda as a signatory to the hotel’s accounts.
Jahenda, who is described as an associate of the Deputy President, was assigned to run the hotel.
In his defence in the National Assembly, Gachagua said that the hotel was sold to TM Civil Engineering Limited in line with instructions from his late brother’s will.
However lawyers argued that the affidavit by Peterson Njomo Muchira may not be relied on because it was introduced after the National Assembly had already approved the motion to impeach the DP.