NAIROBI— Eldas MP Adan Keynan has launched a scathing attack on former impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of deliberately spreading “false and malicious” claims that the iconic BBS Mall in Eastleigh was built using proceeds from a fraud scheme in Minnesota, United States.
In a statement, Keynan described Gachagua’s remarks as “reckless,” “shameless,” and “devoid of credibility and intellectual honesty,” warning that they amounted to ethnic profiling and political scapegoating against the Somali community.
Keynan set the record straight on the mall’s history, emphasizing its legitimate origins. “The mall was developed on land lawfully acquired in 2009 by the proprietor, upon which a smaller establishment known as Comesa Mall was initially constructed,” he stated. The property was later redeveloped into East and Central Africa’s largest mall, with construction starting in 2018 and completing in 2022.
The MP defended the mall’s proprietor as a respected business magnate who has operated in Eastleigh for over 25 years, starting entrepreneurship at age 20. “He maintains an unblemished record, with no allegation of misconduct ever associated with his name. His reputation is anchored on integrity, diligence, and trustworthiness,” Keynan said.
He accused Gachagua of inflaming tensions and fomenting division through “defamatory ethnic profiling” of Somali investors. The mall, Keynan stressed, was financed through verifiable private equity and regulated banking channels.
Dismissing suggestions that such tactics could intimidate the Somali community, he advised Gachagua: “This portrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the anthropology, resilience, and economic consciousness of this community. Consider revising your strategy.”
Keynan formally called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to urgently investigate Gachagua’s statements for hate speech and ethnic incitement. He demanded that Gachagua retract the claims, issue an unreserved public apology, and cease inflammatory rhetoric targeting legitimate businesses.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over ethnic remarks in Kenyan politics, with critics arguing such statements undermine national unity and investor confidence. Keynan Slams Gachagua for ‘Malicious Falsehoods’ Linking BBS Mall to Minnesota Fraud
Eldas MP Adan Keynan has launched a scathing attack on former impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of deliberately spreading “false and malicious” claims that the iconic BBS Mall in Eastleigh was built using proceeds from a fraud scheme in Minnesota, United States.
In a statement, Keynan described Gachagua’s remarks as “reckless,” “shameless,” and “devoid of credibility and intellectual honesty,” warning that they amounted to ethnic profiling and political scapegoating against the Somali community.
Keynan set the record straight on the mall’s history, emphasizing its legitimate origins. “The mall was developed on land lawfully acquired in 2009 by the proprietor, upon which a smaller establishment known as Comesa Mall was initially constructed,” he stated. The property was later redeveloped into East and Central Africa’s largest mall, with construction starting in 2018 and completing in 2022.
He pointed out the chronological impossibility of linking the project to the alleged Minnesota fraud, which reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2025. “Any attempt to associate this development with the so-called Minnesota fraud is not only factually and chronologically impossible
MP Keynan Slams Gachagua for ‘Malicious Falsehoods’ Linking BBS Mall to Minnesota Fraud
Eldas MP Adan Keynan has launched a scathing attack on former impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of deliberately spreading “false and malicious” claims that the iconic BBS Mall in Eastleigh was built using proceeds from a fraud scheme in Minnesota, United States.
In a statement, Keynan described Gachagua’s remarks as “reckless,” “shameless,” and “devoid of credibility and intellectual honesty,” warning that they amounted to ethnic profiling and political scapegoating against the Somali community.
Keynan set the record straight on the mall’s history, emphasizing its legitimate origins. “The mall was developed on land lawfully acquired in 2009 by the proprietor, upon which a smaller establishment known as Comesa Mall was initially constructed,” he stated. The property was later redeveloped into East and Central Africa’s largest mall, with construction starting in 2018 and completing in 2022.
He pointed out the chronological impossibility of linking the project to the alleged Minnesota fraud, which reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2025. “Any attempt to associate this development with the so-called Minnesota fraud is not only factually and chronologically impossible but exposes a barefaced falsehood,” Keynan asserted.
The MP defended the mall’s proprietor as a respected business magnate who has operated in Eastleigh for over 25 years, starting entrepreneurship at age 20. “He maintains an unblemished record, with no allegation of misconduct ever associated with his name. His reputation is anchored on integrity, diligence, and trustworthiness,” Keynan said.
He accused Gachagua of inflaming tensions and fomenting division through “defamatory ethnic profiling” of Somali investors. The mall, Keynan stressed, was financed through verifiable private equity and regulated banking channels.
Dismissing suggestions that such tactics could intimidate the Somali community, he advised Gachagua: “This portrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the anthropology, resilience, and economic consciousness of this community. Consider revising your strategy.”
Keynan formally called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to urgently investigate Gachagua’s statements for hate speech and ethnic incitement. He demanded that Gachagua retract the claims, issue an unreserved public apology, and cease inflammatory rhetoric targeting legitimate businesses.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over ethnic remarks in Kenyan politics, with critics arguing such statements undermine national unity and investor confidence. but exposes a barefaced falsehood,” Keynan asserted.
The MP defended the mall’s proprietor as a respected business magnate who has operated in Eastleigh for over 25 years, starting entrepreneurship at age 20. “He maintains an unblemished record, with no allegation of misconduct ever associated with his name. His reputation is anchored on integrity, diligence, and trustworthiness,” Keynan said.
He accused Gachagua of inflaming tensions and fomenting division through “defamatory ethnic profiling” of Somali investors. The mall, Keynan stressed, was financed through verifiable private equity and regulated banking channels.
Dismissing suggestions that such tactics could intimidate the Somali community, he advised Gachagua: “This portrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the anthropology, resilience, and economic consciousness of this community. Consider revising your strategy.”
Keynan formally called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to urgently investigate Gachagua’s statements for hate speech and ethnic incitement. He demanded that Gachagua retract the claims, issue an unreserved public apology, and cease inflammatory rhetoric targeting legitimate businesses.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over ethnic remarks in Kenyan politics, with critics arguing such statements undermine national unity and investor confidence.
