Imprisoned Son of Ex-Governor Nderitu Gachagua Claims Uncle Rigathi Gachagua Framed to Intimidate Him.

Former Nyeri County Governor, the late Nderitu Gachagua’s son, is pleading with the High Court to be given a chance to stand in an open court to disclose the scheme behind the implicated robbery with violence offense.

Jackson Kihara Gachagua, serving a 20-year sentence in Manyani prison, pleaded with Justice Alexander Muteti to be allowed to stand in an open court and disclose why he was implicated in the robbery offense, which he never committed.

The application came late after the Court of Appeal dismissed his Appeal seeking to overturn the 20-year imprisonment that was imposed earlier by the subordinate court.

According to Kihara, his uncle, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, orchestrated the offense to intimidate him after failing to hand him the documents he claims to be given by his late father.

“Your honor, I would like to appear before you in an open court for the hearing where I will give my evidence behind the offense I did not commit but I was convicted,” Kihara said.

He alleges that before the demise of his father and former Nyeri County Governor, Nderitu Gachagua, he had trusted him and handed him crucial documents of some of his properties to keep.

When his father was in his final days in the hospital, Rigathi Gachagua, his uncle, came demanding the documents, but he refused to hand them out, claiming his father trusted him and he would not give them out. ‘That’s where the problem began.”

When Justice Muteti inquired about the reason for failing to include the issues in the affidavit, he stated that every lawyer he attempted to hire was compromised and left him without a word.

He stated that being in prison was a scheme to intimidate him into giving Rigathi the documents, given his power connection.

“I wrote the letter to the Chief Justice and to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), on July 25, 2025, and the Chief Justice acknowledged receiving the letter as well as the (DPP),” He said.

He added that the DPP stated they were reviewing the police and court files to get back to him. Since he lacks the authority to compel them to complete the review, he is seeking the court’s indulgence.

Further, Kihara told the court that the DCI and the Ombudsman also acknowledged receiving the letter.

He also confirmed that he has been interacting with the Law Society of Kenya president for the last two years and is very aware of the case.

“I contacted LSK last year through a letter, which I have a copy of, and also talked on the phone with the president Faith Adhiambo, informed her about a prominent lawyer I hired, and got compromised. I have the evidence on that,” he added.

During the process of impeaching the former Deputy President, his story was mentioned in the Senate, and officers from the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) visited him in Manyani prison, where he gave them the whole narrative.

“They assured to help me since I did not commit the offence and assured to help, but one year down the line, nothing has happened,” Kihara told the judge.

Justice Muteti directed him to put the issues in the form of an affidavit as a private litigant if he feels that the advocates he hires are compromised.

“Article 50 of the Constitution has given you the right to do so and file the affidavit formally in court,” the judge said.

In response, state prosecutor Peris Ogega told Justice Muteti that she was not aware of the letter by the DPP, as Kihara stated. She also said that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the application since the matter has already been heard and determined by the Court of Appeal.

“However, since the applicant has raised the issues that have never been raised, he can be advised by a legal counsel on how to go about applying for a special writ in an appeal or a constitutional petition,” Ogega said.

In his directions, Justice Muteti said that since the applicant has raised allegations that he has documents emanating from the ODPP, he directed the applicant to put the issues in an affidavit form and serve the DPP.

“The applicant should swear and file an affidavit raising all these issues he has raised, and the application should be filed within seven days and served to the ODPP,” Justice Muteti directed.

He also directed the ODPP to file its response within seven days after the service. The matter was scheduled for mention on November 6, 2025.