Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has been released on a Sh12 million cash bail or a Sh25 million bond after pleading ‘not guilty’ to all 6 charges in the Sh7.4 billion corruption case.
The UDA allied lawmaker has also been ordered to deposit his passport in court.
A handcuffed Rigathi Gachagua appeared before an open court at the Milimani Law Courts where the prosecution laid before the court charges of graft and money laundering.
He was charged alongside 9 others of corruption while the state accused him solely of money laundering.
UDA leaders including former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Kiambaa MP-elect John Wanjiku followed the case from the gallery.
In a press conference outside the court, Senator Irungu Kang’ata, who was one of Hon Gachagua’s lawyers, has complained that the bond terms are too high.
The Mathira MP was arrested early on Friday morning by the DCI at his Nyeri home and spent the weekend locked up.
The Assets Recovery Authority has been investigating Hon Gachagua over Sh12.5 billion allegedly found in his accounts at a microfinance.
The prosecution ultimately charged Hon Gachagua and his co-accused of economic crimes in a case over Sh7.4 billion which is Sh5.1 billion less than the amount that had been bandied around.
