Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rejected claims that he irregularly inherited his late brother Nderitu Gachagua's wealth, insisting the process was legal and court-sanctioned eight years ago. The family of the late Nyeri Governor petitioned President William Ruto for intervention on March 23, alleging fraud and forgery. Gachagua described the renewed dispute as politically motivated.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has responded to allegations from his late brother Nderitu Gachagua's family, who petitioned President William Ruto over the succession of the former Nyeri Governor's estate. In a letter dated March 23, 2026, the family contested the will, citing inconsistencies, fraud, forgery, and irregular management, while noting the deceased's critical illness at the time.
Speaking on Friday, March 27, Gachagua dismissed the claims, stating the process concluded legally eight years ago. "The late Cachagua wrote a will and gave his property to everybody. He gave it to his wife, two of them and four children. He had other women in his life. He included them, a total of 21 beneficiaries," Gachagua said.
He explained the will specified varying percentages for beneficiaries and appointed three executors. In 2018, all beneficiaries confirmed agreement before a judge, who adopted the will. "The succession law says once a will has been read to the beneficiaries, you go to court. We went to court, and before the judge in 2018, all of us told the judge that we had agreed to the content of the will," he revealed.
"The court adopted the will and allowed the executors to go ahead as per the wishes of the deceased. We sold the properties, paid his debts and distributed the balance to the beneficiaries. That happened 8 years ago, 8 years nobody ever spoke," he added.
Gachagua accused Ruto of politicizing the private family matter. "William Ruto has decided to play politics with the Gachagua family. He met some of the family members yesterday and told them that he has the authority to recover most of the things that were sold. It is not possible. He is just lying to them," Gachagua claimed, emphasizing that succession disputes belong in court, not with the president.
