By Judy Jerono

A day after the Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua was unveiled as United Democratic Alliance party leader William Ruto’s running mate, he has defended the corruption allegations being raised.

The legislator who was unveiled as Ruto’s running mate in Kenya Kwanza Alliance ahead of the August General polls, maintained he has not been found guilty and that he has every right to vie for any seat.

Gachagua who is facing a graft case with the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) defended himself saying that the allegation is not a conviction.

He added that he is at a loss to authenticate the source of Ksh.200 million in three of his bank accounts, which he claims to have obtained through a loan.

“Those are allegations and an allegation is not a conviction. The Kenyan constitution is very clear, that you can only be barred from political office when you have been convicted and you have exhausted the mechanisms offered by law for appeal,” Gachagua said on an interview.

“I made my money during the reign of President Mwai Kibaki, like many Kenyans.”

The legislator dismissed the claims as politically-motivated, attributing the allegations to his denial to support the March 2018 ‘Handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.

“Our government decided along the way to use our criminal justice system to stifle dissent and force people to follow what the president wants. When I was intimidated to support the handshake and I refused, the criminal justice system was used against me and everybody knows,” Gachagua claimed

He added that “Between 2013 and 2017, Uhuru was my buddy…nobody raised a finger but when i said publicly, I did not believe in the handshake because it is a fraud, I was intimidated and called to support it and I refused.”

“The case is politically motivated. It has never started because the State has not been able to provide any evidence,” stated Gachagua citing that the case against him shall also not prevent him from his expectations of becoming deputy president come August 9.

“Nelson Mandela was jailed for 27 years for terrorism in Robben Island for terrorism, he came from prison to be the greatest president South Africa has ever had,” he said.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto had serious issues but the people of Kenya elected them and their cases were dropped.”

Among those who had been considered for the Ruto’s running mate position includes; Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kandara MP Alice Wahome, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi as well as Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.