Mandera Governor Khalif threatens to sue Gachagua over Ksh.2.4B Parklands apartments claims

Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has now threatened to sue former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made during an interview on Thursday evening.

Gachagua, during the interview with Northern Kenya media, launched a blistering attack on Governor Khalif over alleged links to a multi-billion-shilling residential project in Nairobi’s Parklands area.

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) boss claimed that the Governor was behind the construction of 120 flats near Parklands, a project he estimated to cost about Ksh.2.4 billion.

He took issue with the county boss, questioning the source of funds used to develop the property while basic social amenities reportedly remain lacking in Mandera County.

“The cost of building a flat in Nairobi is about Ksh.20 million alafu inauzwa Ksh.30 million. That is a cost of Ksh.2.4 billion. Huyu Governor alikuwa Speaker juzi, hiyo pesa ametoa wapi?” Gachagua posed.

He further linked the Nairobi development to what he described as persistent underdevelopment in Mandera, urging residents to interrogate their leaders’ priorities.

“The people of Mandera have to ask themselves what is the relationship between hii building ya Ksh.2.4 billion in Nairobi na kukosa any facilities in Mandera,” he said.

The former DP went on to paint a grim picture of the situation in parts of Mandera County, alleging that some children still study under trees due to a lack of schools.

“Outside his home, hapo nje, in Mandera, there is no school; watu wanasoma chini ya miti,” he claimed.

Gachagua argued that even if the money used to build the apartments was privately acquired, the Governor had a moral obligation to invest back home.

“Ata kama hii Ksh.2.4 billion ni pesa yako unajenga flats hapa, si uonee watu wa nyumbani huruma uchukue Ksh.50 million pekee yake out of Ksh.2.4 billion uende ujenge kashule kazuri watoto wenu wa hapo nyumbani wasomee,” he said.

Taking to social media a day after Gachagua’s condemnation, Governor Khalif, in a strongly worded response posted on his X account, dismissed Gachagua’s claims, accusing him of dishonesty and political bitterness.

“For the record: Gachagua is a confused, loose-tongued old man, reeling from the impeachment and the recent by-elections,” the Governor wrote.

In his defence, Governor Khalif noted that the land matter was already before the court, thus he was limited to publicly speaking about the issue.

He, however, underscored that he bought the land long before assuming office.

“The land matter he is referring to is in court, which limits my comments. I bought the said land in 2020 way before I became the Governor of Mandera, from a senior leader from Murima, a decent person not a crook like him. The former owner lived in the plot for over four decades,” he stated.

At the same time, Khalif threated to take legal action against the DCP party chief over defamation, describing him as “rogue and bitter man.”

“How the land became a public land after the title was transferred can only be explained by the confused Gachagua,” he added.

“Gachagua should have joined the case if he has any evidence. I have also instructed my lawyer to institute legal action against this rogue and bitter man.”

The remarks come amid an ongoing legal dispute over the Parklands land on which the apartments are being built.

Earlier this week, the Environment and Land Court allowed Governor Khalif to continue with the Parklands flats project after dismissing an application by North Highridge Primary School seeking to stop the development.

In its ruling, the court said the school had failed to meet the legal threshold for temporary injunctive relief, including providing sufficient proof of ownership of the disputed land.

The school had sought to halt construction of a 10-storey residential development with 160 housing units along Sixth Avenue, arguing that the land formed part of its original property.

It also wanted police enforcement to stop any further development pending the hearing of the main suit.

However, Justice Christine Ochieng ruled that the evidence presented was incomplete.

“Looking at the documents the plaintiffs have presented, I note they provided a history of the disputed land but failed to file any documents to support their claim on the suit land,” the judge said.

Court records indicate that Governor Khalif bought the land, registered as LR No 209/21526, in February 2021 for Ksh.140 million. Construction began in 2024 and intensified in March 2025.