The impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a dramatic turn following the release of contradicting witness statements regarding the ownership of the Olive Garden Hotel.

The hotel is among several properties implicated in the motion accusing Gachagua of acquiring assets through corrupt practices.

Gachagua has consistently denied owning the hotel, asserting that it belonged to his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua.

In an affidavit that has now been deemed admissible by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, witness Peterson Muchira Njomo claims that on March 31, 2023, Gachagua approached him to negotiate the purchase of the Olive Garden Hotel via an “informal secret agreement” for KSh412 million.

Muchira, in the affidavit, alleges that one of the terms of the secret agreement was that Gachagua would buy the hotel from him by refunding the purchase price of KSh412,000,000.

“The Deputy President would instruct and pay a contractor to renovate the hotel after the completion of the transaction,” Muchira in the affidavit.

In his affidavit, Muchira mentions that to protect Gachagua’s undisclosed interest in the hotel, “I would appoint Ms Jullanne Jahenda as a signatory or agent for the Hotel’s account at the Co-Operative Bank of Kenya Ltd. I have so far allowed Ms. Jahenda to operate the hotel, as per my agreement with the DP.”

During a session with the National Assembly on October 8, Gachagua rejected the allegations, reiterating that the Olive Garden Hotel was never his. “The claims that I own the Olive Garden Hotel are untrue. It was owned by my deceased brother and has never been in my possession,” he explained to Members of Parliament.

The Olive Garden Hotel is part of four properties scrutinized in the case, which also includes Vipingo Beach Resort, Queensgate Apartments, and Lang’ata Highrise Flats—all of which Gachagua asserts belonged to his late brother.