Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of directing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to build a case against Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu. The allegations stem from Gathungu's audit reports which revealed billions of shillings in questionable government spending.

Speaking on July 31, 2026, at his Wamunyoro residence during a meeting with Maasai leaders, Gachagua said sources within the DCI informed him that President Ruto had ordered investigators to find evidence to prosecute the Auditor-General. "Kasongo has said that Nancy Gathungu should be fished for evidence because she is exposing theft within the government," he claimed.

Audit Findings Stir Controversy

The Auditor-General's 2024/2025 financial year report highlighted major concerns, including:

  • Over Ksh9.6 billion in transactions via the eCitizen platform, with Ksh7.05 billion unremitted due to missing agreements with financial service providers.
  • Unverified records for 21 bank accounts in the Immigration Department holding Ksh7.1 billion across multiple currencies.
  • Inadequate accounting for an additional Ksh44.8 billion in revenue.
  • Contracts worth Ksh49.46 billion in the Affordable Housing Programme awarded without proper land ownership documentation or project site records.

Gachagua argued that these revelations have unsettled senior Kenya Kwanza officials and placed Gathungu at odds with powerful government figures. He urged President Ruto to halt any attempts to intimidate or prosecute the Auditor-General, emphasizing her constitutional role in protecting public funds.

"She is simply exposing the theft within the government," Gachagua stated, warning against retaliation against an independent constitutional office holder.

However, the claims have not been independently verified, and neither the Auditor-General's office, the DCI, nor State House had responded by the time of publication.

Political Tensions and Reactions

Gachagua also suggested that some DCI officers are discontented with political interference, with similar frustrations reportedly growing within the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, and the broader public service.

Earlier, Gachagua had asserted knowledge of President Ruto's upcoming State of the Nation Address, which outlined a new national vision to be discussed nationwide starting August 12. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed these claims, noting that the President’s address was developed with input from Cabinet members and technical teams over several weeks, making the content no secret.