Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says he is still “intimidated” by the judiciary due to his past experience in the corridors of justice.
Speaking on Wednesday in Nairobi while closing the third symposium on Greening Judiciaries in Africa, the DP said nearly six months after his multi-billion graft case was dropped, he is still hesitant to interact with judicial officials.
“I must say that appearing before many chief justices and judges is rather intimidating. In my earlier life, before the people of Kenya decided to bring me to this side of the divide, I was a constant visitor before you in not-very-pleasant circumstances,” he told delegates.
“Anytime you invite me I am a bit hesitant because appearing before you in different circumstances. But we are healing slowly and this continuously appearing before you completes that healing.”
In November, the anti-corruption court allowed the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s application to withdraw a Ksh.7.4 billion fraud case against DP Gachagua and nine others.
In the ruling, the court faulted the DPP for pressing charges on the then-Mathira MP and his co-accused without conducting conclusive investigations.
“How come DPP seemed to have acted and preferred charges based on inconclusive investigations? One cannot be prompted to infer that he acted under pressure from his junior the DCIO,” read the ruling.
The prosecution had applied for withdrawal of charges on grounds that it would be prejudicial for the case to go on as it is since the evidence tabled in court was not enough.