Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s family has invested heavily in the hospitality industry and is associated with some of Kenya’s high-end hotels.
Reports indicate that the former DP and his family own a number of iconic hotels in Kenya including Outspan Hotel, Olive Gardens Hotel and Vipingo Beach Resort.
Olive Gardens Hotel
The Olive Gardens Hotel in Nairobi is said to be owned by the Gachaguas’ family. The three-star facility sits at the heart of Nairobi, approximately 3.8 km from the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The hotel has 60 rooms and features a restaurant providing African food, a garden, and a free private parking area.
Outspan Hotel
Located in Nyeri, the Outspan Hotel sits on 69 acres of land in the Aberdare Range. Reportedly, the hotel was founded by Eric Sherbrooke Walker in the 1920s.
It is notable for housing the Paxtu cottage, which served as Baden-Powell’s commissioned residence in the late 1930s and is now a scouting museum.
Gachagua’s family allegedly acquired the hotel in September 2023 at a cost of Sh535 million.
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Vipingo Beach Resort
The facility is situated in Kilifi, some 20 kilometres from Watamu National Marine Park. Vipingo Beach Resort is a luxurious beachfront resort that features a restaurant, a garden, a patio, and complimentary private parking.
The resort has an infinity pool where guests can unwind elegantly and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
Treetops Hotel
The Daily Nation newspaper earlier reported that Gachagua’s son, Keith, acquired the iconic Treetops Hotel, which reopened in 2022. Gachagua however denied the claims clarifying that his children, Kelvin and Keith did not purchase the facility but instead took out a loan to lease the hotel from Kenya Wildlife Service.
“They have leased this hotel from KWS, not purchased it,” Gachagua stated. “People are spreading rumors without knowledge; this hotel belongs to KWS and has been leased,” Gachagua told journalists.
Treetops Hotel located in Aberdare National Park was first opened on November 6, 1932 by Sherbrooke Walker.
The hotel is famed for witnessing Queen Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne 72 years ago. In 1954, Mau Mau fighters burned down the hotel but another structure would later be constructed some 100 meters from the old one.
Walker reportedly sold Treetops to the Block Hotel group in 1966, who later sold it to Aberdare Safari Hotels Ltd.
