Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been dragged to the High Court over alleged defamatory remarks linking a major oil firm and its leadership to irregular petroleum dealings.
Stabex International Limited chairman Jackson Kiplimo, together with two associated companies, has filed the suit accusing Gachagua of making false and malicious statements that have damaged their reputation and business standing.
In court documents, the plaintiffs claim that Gachagua publicly alleged that Stabex and Gulf Energy were being used as proxies in a government-to-government (G2G) petroleum procurement arrangement tied to President William Ruto. The suit points to remarks allegedly made on April 5, 2026, at AIPCA Gakoe Church in Kiambu, where Gachagua is said to have claimed that the President was conducting petroleum business through the two firms and had made profits exceeding Sh1.5 trillion.
He is also accused of alleging that senior officials at key state agencies, including the Kenya Pipeline Company and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), were involved in parallel fuel importation deals generating hundreds of millions of shillings.
Kiplimo and his companies argue that the statements falsely portrayed them as participants in unlawful activities, thereby injuring their credibility and commercial reputation.
They maintain that Stabex has no involvement whatsoever in the G2G petroleum procurement framework, insisting that it operates as a legitimate oil marketing company with an established presence across East Africa. The plaintiffs further deny any proxy relationship with President Ruto or any other individual.
According to the court filings, the plaintiffs, through their lawyers, issued a demand letter to Gachagua on April 9, 2026, seeking an immediate retraction and unconditional apology. They claim he has failed to comply.
They are now seeking general and exemplary damages, as well as a permanent injunction to restrain Gachagua from making or publishing similar statements.
