The Governor of Mandera, Mohamed Khalif, has issued a formal demand for an apology from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following public remarks concerning the ownership of high-rise residential developments in Nairobi. During a press briefing held in Mandera on Wednesday, the governor refuted claims that he owns a Sh2.4 billion apartment complex located in the Parklands suburb.
The dispute stems from a televised interview where the former Deputy President reportedly suggested that the Mandera County chief was the proprietor of the multi-billion shilling real estate project. Governor Khalif described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to malign his character and associate his administration with the misappropriation of public funds. He stated that the claims have caused significant distress to his reputation and have misled the public regarding his financial holdings.
Legal representatives for the governor have already drafted a demand letter requiring a full retraction and an unconditional apology from Gachagua. Governor Khalif noted that failure to comply with these demands within a specified period would result in the filing of a defamation lawsuit. He emphasized that the properties mentioned do not belong to him and challenged his accusers to provide documentary evidence from the lands registry to support the assertions.
This development occurs at a time when the oversight of county expenditure and the acquisition of assets by public officials are under intense scrutiny in Kenya. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has frequently monitored the flow of funds from devolved units into the Nairobi property market, which has made such public accusations particularly sensitive for sitting governors.
The former Deputy President has not yet issued a formal response to the legal notice. Gachagua, who was recently removed from office through impeachment, has faced various legal challenges and has been vocal about the business interests of several high-ranking state officers. This latest legal threat adds to the growing list of litigations involving his public pronouncements.
In the construction and real estate sector, the Parklands area remains one of the most active zones for high-density residential developments in Nairobi. The rapid growth of apartment blocks in this region has often drawn attention to the sources of investment funding. Governor Khalif maintained that while he respects the role of the media and public officials in ensuring accountability, such oversight must be grounded in factual accuracy rather than hearsay or political expediency.
The governor’s legal team is expected to monitor the situation over the coming days to determine if a court filing is necessary. For now, the Mandera county government continues its operations, though the shadow of the Sh2.4 billion claim remains a point of contention in the local political landscape.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!