President William Ruto has vowed to ensure that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua returns property allegedly taken from the widow and children of the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua.
Speaking on Sunday in Nakuru, President Ruto said the matter was both a legal and moral issue, promising justice for the bereaved family. He invoked biblical teachings on the protection of widows and orphans, declaring that those who exploit the vulnerable would not go unpunished.
“You can carry on with the insults, but what belongs to orphans and widows must be returned. There is no getting away with that. That hotel in Nairobi, the property in Kilifi, and other things taken from the bereaved family must be returned,” said Ruto, in a direct reference to his former deputy.
The President’s remarks come amid an ongoing dispute over the administration of the late governor’s estate, which has pitted his widow, Margaret Nyokabi Nderitu, and her four children against Rigathi Gachagua. The family has accused the former Deputy President of grabbing property belonging to them following the death of their patriarch.
“I can take the insults as a man, but the widows and orphans cannot, and we will therefore defend them, even before God. Nobody will ill-treat them,” Ruto added.
The family of the late Nderitu Gachagua had earlier written to the President, appealing for his intervention. In their letter, they claimed that a doctored Will had been used to defraud and disinherit them, leading to years of hardship.
According to the family, the disputed assets include a hotel in Nairobi and prime property in Kilifi, which they allege were irregularly transferred through the use of political influence and falsified documents.
President Ruto’s remarks mark the first time he has publicly addressed the matter, signaling a possible escalation in the long-running feud between the two families. The Head of State emphasized that his administration would not tolerate the exploitation of widows and orphans, promising that justice would prevail regardless of political affiliations.
The late Nderitu Gachagua, who served as Nyeri Governor until his death in 2017, was widely respected for his reformist leadership and commitment to public service. His family’s appeal to the President underscores the deep divisions that have persisted within the Gachagua family since his passing.
As investigations continue, the President’s declaration has drawn national attention, with many Kenyans watching closely to see whether the government will take concrete steps to resolve the dispute and return the contested properties to the widow and her children.
