“He Demanded It All” — Gachagua Finally Names the Powerful Associates Who Ruined the Malaba SGR

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made fresh allegations against President William Ruto and his associates, accusing them of demanding billions of shillings in commissions from Chinese companies involved in major infrastructure projects in Kenya.

Speaking during a church service at PCEA Kamangu in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, on Sunday, November 1, 2026, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader questioned the government’s handling of major railway and highway projects, alleging that corruption had affected their financing and implementation.

Gachagua claimed that President Ruto’s associates demanded a Ksh50 billion commission from Chinese financiers, a move he said contributed to the withdrawal of funding for the proposed Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension.

According to the former deputy president, the Chinese financiers declined to proceed with the funding arrangement because of the alleged demand for the commission.

“The Chinese have refused to fund that railway because Ruto and his people are asking for a commission of Ksh50 billion. The Chinese have said they will not fund it. That thing is a con,” Gachagua claimed.

He challenged the government to make the railway project’s contractual agreements public, insisting that Kenyans deserved to understand the financing arrangements behind the multibillion-shilling development.

“If Ruto wants to build that railway to Malaba, let him publish the signed contract so that we can see it,” he said.

The proposed railway extension is expected to connect Naivasha to Kisumu and eventually Malaba near the Kenya-Uganda border. However, questions have emerged over its financing arrangements and the projected cost, which the National Treasury placed at approximately Ksh651 billion in its October 2026 report.

Gachagua also turned his attention to the Rironi-Mau Summit highway project, accusing the government of using workers’ pension savings to finance construction through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

He alleged that approximately Ksh30 billion belonging to pension contributors had been channelled to two Chinese construction companies despite what he described as the absence of a legally binding contract.

“I am saying there is no contract for that road. Money has been taken from NSSF, money belonging to pensioners, against the law. Ksh30 billion has been given to two Chinese companies,” he claimed.

The DCP leader specifically warned the directors of the companies involved and NSSF officials, demanding that the alleged funds be returned to the pension scheme.

He insisted that those responsible for the financial arrangements could face legal consequences over the alleged use of workers’ retirement savings.

The former deputy president further revisited the controversial cancellation of an earlier agreement involving a French consortium that had been contracted to undertake the Rironi-Mau Summit highway project.

Gachagua claimed that the original French agreement was valued at approximately Ksh150 billion before the government replaced it with a deal involving Chinese contractors reportedly worth Ksh200 billion.

He questioned why the replacement arrangement involved a higher amount despite what he described as a reduction in the scope of work.

He also alleged that the French companies received approximately Ksh7 billion in compensation following the cancellation of their agreement, claiming that the amount was shared equally between the President’s camp and the companies.

“Wakakubaliana na Wafaransa, wakalipa hasara ya Ksh7 billion. Wakagawana nusu kwa nusu. Ruto Ksh3.5 billion, Wafaransa wakachukua Ksh3.5 billion bila kufanya kazi yoyote,” Gachagua claimed.

His allegations came amid scrutiny of a Ksh7.31 billion compensation payment made to the French consortium. An Auditor-General’s report questioned the payment, noting that the money was withdrawn from the securitised Road Maintenance Levy Fund and raising concerns about whether taxpayers received value for money.

However, the government has previously explained that the French agreement was terminated because of concerns about its long-term affordability and the financial obligations it would place on taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has offered a different explanation for delays affecting the Rironi-Mau Summit highway.

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