The Minnesota fraud scandal has taken a new twist in Kenya as former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday accused individuals close to President William Ruto of being involved in the alleged looting.
Speaking at a public forum, Gachagua linked the controversy to business dealings in Kenya, alleging that stolen funds were invested in the real estate sector.
“Mambo ya Minnesota, pesa iliibiwa, wale watu wamehusika ni business partners wa Rais. Mwenye mall iko Eastleigh ndiye mwenye hiyo scheme. We are asking you Trump, don’t bother about the extradition process in Kenya, wewe fanya vile ulifanya Venezuela, because Ruto amesema jamaa asitolewe huku,” Gachagua said, urging direct action from the United States.
He claimed the same individuals implicated in the Minnesota scandal continue to benefit from government contracts, disadvantaging local farmers.
Gachagua highlighted the importation of duty-free rice as one such example, suggesting that local producers in Mwea were suffering because of preferential treatment given to these business figures.
“Huyo jamaa ndiye bado anahangaisha wakulima wa Mwea sababu amepewa kandarasi ya kuleta duty free rice. Tunataka hiyo ndege ya kumkujia ata Kasongo atakuwa amehusika na pesa ya Minnesota, awekwe kwa hio ndege pia yeye,” he added.
The former deputy president’s remarks come amid growing international scrutiny over financial flows allegedly linking Kenya to the United States.
Reports indicate an ongoing probe into assets and investments tied to the Minnesota fraud.
Gachagua’s statements are likely to intensify political debate in Kenya, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the role of individuals close to the presidency in controversial financial dealings