Government Fires Back At Gachagua Over “Reckless” Minnesota Fraud Allegations

The Kenyan government has officially responded to explosive claims made by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who accused President William Ruto’s administration of benefiting from funds stolen in a U.S.-based fraud scheme.

The allegations were leveled by Gachagua on Sunday, January 4, 2026, during a church service in Githunguri, Kiambu County. He claimed that millions of dollars meant for people with disabilities in Minnesota were diverted to Kenya to fund political campaigns and real estate projects, including a prominent mall in Eastleigh.

“Dangerous and Regressive Politics”

In a stern rebuttal issued on Monday, January 5, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui termed the allegations as “reckless and alarming.” Kinyanjui questioned Gachagua’s sudden “discovery” of these claims, pointing out that the former Deputy President was Ruto’s own running mate during the period he now questions.

The CS criticized Gachagua’s call for foreign intervention, describing it as a desperate attempt to settle domestic political scores at the expense of Kenya’s international reputation.

“How can a leader seek to throw his own country into the deep end merely to score personal revenge? This brand of politics is regressive and dangerous,” Kinyanjui stated. “It reflects raw greed and naivety in handling matters that could have potentially catastrophic consequences.”

The “Minnesota Scheme” Claims

Despite the government’s dismissal, Gachagua doubled down on his narrative, alleging that the U.S. government is already tracking the “stolen” assets. According to Gachagua. He alleged that a mall in Eastleigh was built using the proceeds of the fraud and belongs to a close business associate of the President. He claimed that a portion of the contested funds was funneled directly into President Ruto’s campaign machinery. Gachagua made a direct plea to U.S. President Donald Trump to bypass standard extradition protocols. He urged the U.S. to conduct a “Venezuela-style” operation to pick up suspects from Kenyan soil and fly them to America for prosecution.

Diplomatic Repercussions

While CS Kinyanjui noted that criminal investigations fall outside his docket, he warned that Gachagua’s rhetoric carries “serious diplomatic implications.” He cautioned that inviting foreign powers to infringe on Kenyan sovereignty for political gain is a “reckless” move that could harm the nation’s standing with international partners.

The public exchange marks a significant escalation in the fallout between the President and his former deputy, as the “Minnesota fraud” case becomes a central theme in Kenya’s intensifying 2026 political landscape.