‘Hiyo utarudisha’ Uhuru tells Gachagua to refund Sh1.5m he spent on personal debts [Photos/Rigathi Gachagua /Facebook]
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has jokingly demanded that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua refund KSh1.5 million after he admitted spending money donated to support Uhuru’s 2017 re-election campaign.
Uhuru made the remarks on Wednesday, November 11, during the requiem mass of his late cousin, Beatrice Wambui Muturi, at PCEA Nairobi West Church.
Gachagua had earlier narrated how he received the money but used it to settle personal financial obligations, prompting a light-hearted response from the former President.
Reacting to the revelation, Uhuru told mourners that he would personally visit Gachagua’s Wamunyoro home in Nyeri to collect the money, drawing laughter from the congregation.
“Sina mengi ya kusema, mnajua mimi nimeretire, ninaishi huko Ichaweri, lakini nimesikia Riggy G akisema alipewa KSh1.5 million ya kupeleka kwa campaign yangu, nitakuja huko Wamunyoro kucollect hiyo. Hiyo utarudisha,” Uhuru said.
He added that he would bring his friend Maina along for the visit to ensure the money was recovered.
The exchange followed Gachagua’s account of how Wambui approached him in 2017, after the Supreme Court nullified the August presidential election, with a contribution intended to support Uhuru’s re-election bid.
According to Gachagua, Wambui arrived at his home carrying KSh1.5 million in a nylon bag and asked him to use the money to support the repeat election campaign.
“Nitakujia Ksh1.5 million yangu Wamunyoro. Haiwezi enda hivyo.” – Uhuru Kenyatta tells Rigathi Gachagua https://t.co/1x2Me3ZpzP
— Siasa Insider (@siasainsider) November 11, 2026
However, he admitted that he was struggling financially following the previous election and used the contribution to settle some of his personal debts.
“Lakini mimi nilikuwa broke; we had just come from an election. Sasa ile pesa ya mama ya kusaidia ndugu yangu Uhuru Kenyatta kwanza nikafunika nayo mashimo,” Gachagua confessed.
The revelation offered a glimpse into the relationship between the two leaders, who previously worked closely together, with Gachagua serving as Uhuru’s personal assistant before venturing into elective politics.
Their political paths later diverged during the 2022 General Election, when Uhuru backed Raila Odinga while Gachagua became William Ruto’s running mate.
Despite their political differences, Gachagua has recently referred to Uhuru as his elder brother. The former President, meanwhile, used Wednesday’s gathering to call for peace and unity among opposition leaders.
Uhuru also reminded mourners that although he had retired from active politics, he remained attentive to developments in the country.