Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a claim, accusing Kithure Kindiki of overseeing a scheme where Ksh100 million of taxpayers’ money is spent every week to bribe Kenyans.
Gachagua dropped this bombshell during the burial service of Gladys Wairimu Kariuki, wife of the late GG Kariuki, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Rumuruti, Laikipia West, Laikipia County.
While referring to Kindiki as ‘mtu wa saprano‘, Gachagua claimed that his successor is using the huge sum to pay off people instead of funding vital services like building roads or providing clean water.
“Mimi niseme Chairman KRA, wewe unasukuma tulipe kodi, na tunalipa. Lakini tunaskia vibaya hii kodi tunalipa kuliko kujenga barabara na kuweka maji, inapatiwa mtu wa soprano azunguke akihonga watu nayo. Huyu soprano anaenda na 100 million every week,” Gachagua said.
Translation: “I’m telling the KRA Chairman, you push us to pay taxes, and we do. But it feels bad that the taxes we pay, instead of building roads and providing water, are given to some soprano guy to go around bribing people with. This soprano takes 100 million every week.”
Fiery call for accountability
Gachagua, who served as Deputy President under William Ruto until his impeachment in October 2024, has been vocal about government mismanagement since leaving office.
His latest remarks come at a time when many Kenyans are frustrated over high taxes and poor public services.
He also urged Kindiki to stand up to President Ruto, as Gachagua claims he did during his time in office.
Gachagua further warned leaders not to let their names be dragged into the mud by corrupt, money-driven schemes.
He stressed that those in power must protect their reputations and put Kenya’s needs first.
The burial in Laikipia was a sombre event, attended by many local leaders and residents mourning Gladys Wairimu Kariuki, whose husband, GG Kariuki, was a prominent Kenyan politician.
Kenyans are increasingly vocal about the need for transparency, especially as economic challenges bite harder. Gachagua’s call for leaders to resist being used by wealthy interests resonates with those tired of corruption scandals.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
