How Late Nderitu Gachagua Rose from Quantity Surveyor to Billionaire

Late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has dominated the ongoing impeachment proceedings against his brother, Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua.

In a press conference on October 7, the DP explained that most of the wealth he is accused of acquiring through corruption and money laundering was left behind by Nderitu. 

Gachagua said Nderitu appointed him in that role alongside his close friend Mwangi Mathenge, a quantity surveyor, and lawyer Njoroge Regeru.

Among Nderitu’s properties are the Olive Garden Hotel, Vipingo Beach Resort, Queens Gate Apartments, and Lang’ata Highrise Flats.

He described Nderitu as a hardworking man and criticized Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse for dragging his wealth into the impeachment motion.

Rigathi apologized to his brother for being forced to make his will public while defending himself against the accusations.

“That your properties that you worked for many years to benefit your wives and children are now a subject of discussion and are now alleged to be proceeds of corruption. How unfair, how cruel can you be to a dead man?” the DP said.

Early Life and Education

Nderitu Gachagua, born on July 29, 1953, in Hiriga village, Mathira West, Nyeri County, grew up in a politically influential family.

His parents, Nahashon Gachagua and Martha Kirigu, were prominent KANU politicians.

Nderitu was one of nine siblings, with four brothers and five sisters.

He began his education at Ingorano Primary School and attended Nyahururu and Nyeri High Schools for his O and A levels, respectively.

Nderitu later joined the University of Nairobi, where he earned a degree in building economics.

He started his career as a quantity surveyor in the Ministry of Public Works in 1977 after graduating from UoN the previous year.

Additionally, Nderitu served as a Provincial Quantity Surveyor for the Ministry of Public Works between 1982 and 1983.

He was later moved to the National Housing Corporation as the company’s chief quantity surveyor.

In 1987, Gachagua started his own quantity surveying company, Triple Eight Construction Limited, which he managed until his death.

In 2002, he enrolled for a Bachelor of Laws at UoN.

Also Read: Gachagua’s Billions: List of 22 Companies at Centre of His Impeachment 

Nderitu Gachagua Political Career

Nderitu joined politics in 2002 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Mathira Constituency on a NARC party ticket.

However, he lost in the 2007 elections when he was ousted by rival contractor Ephraim Maina.

He made political history in 2013 by being the only governor in Central Kenya who was not elected on a TNA ticket.

Nderitu vied on his own party, the Grand National Union (GNU), and defeated his competitor, who was vying with Uhuru Kenyatta’s party.

He was among the leaders Uhuru picked to spearhead his re-election campaign in November 2016.

Nderitu also served as the Chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) Committee on Agriculture.

He succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 24, 2017, at the Royal Marsden Hospital, in London, United Kingdom.

His death marked him as the first sitting governor in Kenya to die in office.

Also Read: Kithure Kindiki Profile: Education Background, Family, Career and Politics

Legacy, Estate & Will

Nderitu left behind wealth estimated to be Ksh2 billion, which was to be distributed among 24 beneficiaries, including his two wives and four children.

The properties include Olive Garden Hotel in Nairobi, Vipingo Beach Resort in Kilifi, and Queens Gate Serviced Apartments, Spa and Resort, also in Nairobi.

Others were a house in Lang’ata, a matrimonial home in Karen, a house in Meru County, and an ancestral home in Hiriga, Nyeri County.

Gachagua had interests in several companies, including Hardrock Quarries Ltd, Triple Eight Ltd, and Mweiga Homes.

According to his will, Nderitu wanted all his properties to be sold, and the proceeds shared among the beneficiaries except three houses he left to his two widows and two sons, to be sold.

None of the beneficiaries received more than 10 percent of the wealth.

The former governor trusted Rigathi and his friends to carry out his will, giving them five percent of the proceeds as a reward.

Gachagua also gave his mother, Martha Kirigu, a five percent share, with Rigathi holding it in trust for her.

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