Gachagua defends Ksh.1.2B renovation budget, says his office and residence neglected for 15 years

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his office’s proposed allocation in the 2024/2025 financial year.

The proposed figures, tabled by a representative from Gachagua’s office before Parliament on Wednesday, show that the DP’s office seeks to spend Ksh.460.4 million to renovate his Harambee Annex offices, and another Ksh.660 million to refurbish his official Karen residence.

It further allocates Ksh.250 million for the fight against alcohol and substance abuse.

In a statement on Thursday, the head of Deputy Presidential Communication Service Njeri Rugene accused the media of misrepresenting the budgetary proposals.

She said Gachagua’s office seeks Ksh.300 million to renovate the Harambee House Annex office, the official residence in Karen and his official Mombasa residence.

“The Harambee House Annex Office and Mombasa Residence have been neglected over 15 years, affecting critical areas of habitability, safety and security,” reads the statement.

On the purchase of vehicles, Gachagua’s office said it has requested Ksh.100 million.

“For the last 10 years, the Office of The Deputy President has heavily relied on old, and refurbished vehicles which are costly to maintain, compromising service delivery,” the statement further adds.

The Deputy President’s Office representative, who appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and National Security, explained that alcohol and substance abuse had become a national security threat, prompting the involvement of various other offices including that of the Spouse of the Deputy President, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.

“The fight against alcohol and drug abuse has taken on a life of its own, it has a strong relationship between reduction and control of alcoholism,” Patrick Mwangi told the committee.