A man who says he’s the son of former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has accused his uncle, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, of allegedly framing him in a robbery with violence case, claiming the conviction was linked to a long-running dispute over his late father’s estate.
Jackson Kihara Gachucha, who is serving a 20-year jail term, made the claims before High Court Judge Alexander Muteti as he sought to challenge the sentence handed down after his 2019 conviction for robbery with violence.
Appearing before the High Court, Kihara argued that he was wrongly convicted and asked the court to review the sentence, saying the four years he spent in remand custody were not considered when the jail term was imposed.
“The four years I spent in remand were not factored into my sentence and that would have significantly reduced my jail term,” Kihara told the court.
Kihara, a nephew of Rigathi Gachagua, further alleged that his legal troubles were connected to an attempt to take control of documents and property linked to his late father’s estate.
“I was framed to give way for the illegal takeover of my late father’s estate,” he claimed.
The matter has drawn attention because of the family ties involved and the political profile of the former Deputy President, although the allegations remain claims made in court and have not been tested in the present proceedings.
Kihara told the court that his family had suffered since his imprisonment, adding that he had access to documents he believes could assist them in managing or protecting the estate.
“My family has suffered since I was imprisoned and the documents could help them earn a living,” he said.
He asked the court to allow him to travel to an undisclosed location to retrieve the documents and hand them over to his family.
In his directions, Justice Muteti ordered prison authorities to escort Kihara to the location to enable him to retrieve and surrender the documents. Reports indicate the court directed officials from Manyani Maximum Prison to facilitate the movement under escort.
Kihara was convicted in 2019 over a robbery with violence case. Court records from the earlier proceedings show he had been charged under section 296(2) of the penal code in relation to the alleged robbery of a motor vehicle in Nairobi.
During the latest appearance, Justice Muteti also noted that some issues raised by Kihara may fall outside the High Court’s jurisdiction, particularly where matters had already been addressed by appellate courts.
The judge advised him to engage his family lawyer and consider the appropriate legal forum for issues that may require further appeal.
The High Court is expected to rule on Kihara’s petition on June 17, 2026. Until then, his application remains pending, with the court expected to determine whether there is a basis to interfere with the sentence or grant further relief.
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