The Kenyan government has issued a firm response to explosive allegations by Rigathi Gachagua, who accused President William Ruto’s administration of benefiting from funds allegedly stolen in a United States based fraud scheme.

Gachagua made the claims on Sunday, January 4, 2026, during a church service in Githunguri, Kiambu County. He alleged that millions of dollars meant for people with disabilities in Minnesota were diverted to Kenya and used to finance political campaigns and real estate ventures, including a high-profile shopping mall in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

In a strongly worded rebuttal issued on Monday, January 5, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui dismissed the accusations as reckless and alarming. He questioned Gachagua’s timing and credibility, noting that the former Deputy President served as President Ruto’s running mate during the very period he is now casting doubt upon.

Kinyanjui sharply criticised Gachagua’s appeal for foreign intervention, describing it as a desperate political manoeuvre that risks undermining Kenya’s international standing. He warned that dragging external powers into domestic political disputes for personal or partisan gain amounted to dangerous and regressive politics.

Despite the government’s dismissal, Gachagua has stood by his assertions, claiming that United States authorities are already tracking assets allegedly linked to the fraud. He alleged that a mall in Eastleigh was constructed using proceeds from the scheme and is owned by a close business associate of the President. He further claimed that part of the disputed funds was channelled directly into President Ruto’s campaign operations.

In a move that sparked widespread controversy, Gachagua directly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to bypass standard extradition procedures. He called for what he described as a “Venezuela-style” operation, asking U.S. authorities to arrest suspects on Kenyan soil and fly them to the United States for prosecution.

While emphasising that criminal investigations do not fall within his ministerial mandate, Kinyanjui warned that such rhetoric carries serious diplomatic consequences. He cautioned that inviting foreign governments to infringe on Kenya’s sovereignty for political leverage could severely damage the country’s relations with international partners.

The public exchange underscores a deepening rift between President Ruto and his former deputy, as the so-called “Minnesota fraud” allegations emerge as a flashpoint in Kenya’s increasingly charged 2026 political landscape, raising questions about accountability, diplomacy and the limits of political rivalry.