Jackson Kihara Gachagua, son of the late Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who is serving a 20-year sentence in Manyani Prison for robbery with violence, has asked the High Court for an open court hearing to present evidence on his case.
Kihara claims he was framed through trumped-up charges after he refused to hand over title deeds, logbooks, and other important documents belonging to his late father to his uncle, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
He told Justice Alexander Muteti that he wants to appear in open court to explain how he was wrongly implicated in the offence.
According to Kihara, he had been driving his father’s car even before the latter’s death, but the logbook had not been transferred to his name, (in short, He is serving a 20 years Prison sentence for Driving his father’s car).
Kihara alleges that the problems began when his uncle demanded the documents while his father was hospitalised in his final days.
He refused to release them, saying his father had entrusted them to him.
He claims the robbery with violence charge was orchestrated to intimidate him into surrendering the documents.
He stated that every lawyer he attempted to hire was compromised, forcing him to represent himself.
Kihara said he wrote to the Chief Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on 25 July 2025.
Both acknowledged receipt, with the DPP indicating that they were reviewing the police and court files.
He added that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) also acknowledged his letter.
During the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kihara’s story was raised in the Senate, after which DCI and National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers visited him in Manyani Prison.
They assured him of assistance, but no action has been taken nearly a year later.
Kihara also revealed that he has been in contact with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Adhiambo for the past two years and has evidence of a prominent lawyer he hired being compromised.
State Prosecutor Peris Ogega argued that the court lacks jurisdiction since the Court of Appeal had already dismissed Kihara’s appeal against the 20-year sentence.
She noted she was not aware of the DPP’s letter and advised Kihara to seek legal counsel on filing a constitutional petition
Justice Muteti directed Kihara to swear and file an affidavit within seven days detailing all the issues raised, and to serve it on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The ODPP was ordered to file its response within seven days of service.
