By Mohamed Siyad - Reporter
6 January 2026 - Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has sharply criticised the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua for what he termed “reckless and inflammatory” ethnic profiling, following former Deputy President's allegations linking Somali-owned commercial malls in Kenya to fraud in Minnesota, United States.
In a press statement, Governor Abdullahi, who is also the Chairperson of the Council of Governors, described Gachagua’s claims—that funds fraudulently obtained in Minnesota have been channelled into building malls and financing political campaigns in Kenya—as “entirely devoid of evidence”.
He said the remarks are a dangerous attempt to incite ethnic discord.
“Rigathi Gachagua has taken Somaliphobia to an unacceptable level,” Abdullahi stated.
The governor said the U.S. government can easily know and identify where those missing funds were invested.
"The owner of BBS Mall has been a serious businessman in this country way before H.E President William Samoei Ruto came to power," he added.
To the Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the governor advised him to jot a different political path away from Gachagua.
Governor Abdullahi described Mr Musyoka as "an otherwise good man with ‘friends’ like Gachagua, you don’t need enemies."
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"Whenever Rigathi opens his mouth, independent-minded Kenyans’ support for Ruto surges. My unsolicited advice to the owners of BBS Mall is to sue Rigathi for defamation.”
The governor's remarks underscore growing tensions over ethnic undertones in Kenyan political discourse, particularly as future electoral cycles approach.
The statement highlights concerns that unsubstantiated accusations could fuel division, with Abdullahi emphasising the need for evidence-based commentary.
Whether the business magnate whose properties have been linked to the Minnesota funds will heed Governor Abdullahi's call to sue Gachagua for defamation remains to be seen.
The controversy unfolds amid rising political tensions, with leaders urged to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could undermine national unity.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi Condemns Gachagua's Minnesota Funds Claims
Wajir Governor Urges BBS Mall Owners to Sue Rigathi Gachagua for Defamation
