Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe revealed during a 2019 interview that he faced financial ruin after becoming Gatanga MP in 1997, contradicting allegations of wealth accumulation through ties to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Responding to claims of political enrichment, Murathe emphasized his business background, stating, "I have grown up in business. I am not taking advantage of my proximity with the president. I am not in government, I don't work for the government but I am a businessman." The remarks were made during a KTN News appearance.
He described filing for bankruptcy in the late 1990s as a strategic move to protect his businesses from creditors, saying, "I was rich before I went to parliament but when I went to parliament I became broke, I even had to take the receiving order." This financial downturn followed his entry into politics.
Before his political career, Murathe operated Kenya's largest computer company, generating over Ksh100 million annually. He contrasted this with the earnings of officials like Rigathi Gachagua, then a District Officer in Molo earning Ksh3,500.
Gachagua, now Mathira MP, previously accused Murathe of leveraging presidential connections to regain wealth, alleging, "Today you are a multi-millionaire... when the president came to power you made deals with the Chinese." Murathe denied these claims.
The politician also confirmed the expulsion of nominated senator Isaac Mwaura and other members. Mwaura would campaign as an outsider after being removed from the party, while Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria faces expulsion over alleged insubordination in the Juja by-election.
