A high-stakes legal battle is unfolding in the High Court of Kenya’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division, where Dr. Gideon Maina Muriuki, Group Managing Director and CEO of Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited, stands accused of financing politically motivated protests that have shaken the country in recent weeks.
The petition, brought forward by civic rights activists Collins Matasi Yatundu and Francis Wahome Muchunu, alleges that Dr. Muriuki used his influence and access to financial networks to channel illicit funds into orchestrated demonstrations that have turned violent, resulting in significant loss of life, destruction of public infrastructure, and widespread disruption of services.
In their court filing, the petitioners argue that the protests gripping Kenya are not spontaneous expressions of civic frustration, but carefully coordinated acts of political sabotage. According to their claims, organized groups of youth—referred to as “goons”—have been mobilized to loot businesses, torch police vehicles, and attack public officials. The petitioners allege these groups are being financed through covert cash transfers originating from within the Co-operative Bank system.
Central to the allegations is the claim that Dr. Muriuki is working in collaboration with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, described in the petition as the “political and logistical mastermind” behind the unrest. The court documents cite anonymous whistleblower reports and purported intelligence dossiers that claim unregulated funds were funneled through undisclosed channels, involving offshore accounts and unverified cash withdrawals.
The petition accuses Dr. Muriuki of exploiting his leadership role in a key financial institution to facilitate these operations, pointing to alleged bulk cash movements to entities linked to Gachagua, lacking proper documentation and disclosures. The petitioners interpret this as indicative of a wider money laundering and terrorism financing scheme.
Citing multiple constitutional violations, the petition refers to Articles 10, 33, 36, 40, 46, 47, 73, 75, and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, which govern national values, freedoms of expression and association, consumer rights, integrity, and the conduct of public officers. The petition also invokes various statutes, including the Public Officer Ethics Act, the Leadership and Integrity Act, the Prevention of Organized Crimes Act, and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
The petitioners are seeking a raft of judicial orders, among them a declaration that Dr. Muriuki is unfit to hold office in any fiduciary, public, or regulated entity. They are also requesting that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigate his personal finances and offshore holdings, and that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) initiate criminal proceedings against him and other suspected financiers of the ongoing unrest.
Additional orders sought include requiring the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) to submit all suspicious transaction reports linked to Dr. Muriuki for the past two years, and directing the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) to conduct a full audit of Co-operative Bank’s compliance with regulatory and anti-money laundering requirements. The petitioners further want the Interior Ministry to present a report to Parliament on the suspected financial networks fueling the protests, including any bank involvement.
The petition seeks an injunction preventing Dr. Muriuki from operating any bank account on behalf of Gachagua, and calls for public disclosure of all accounts and transfers tied to political actors linked to the unrest. General damages are also being sought for what the petitioners describe as a national erosion of public trust and loss of livelihoods.
Several key state agencies are named as interested parties in the suit, including the EACC, NIS, DPP, NCIC, FRC, CBK, and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior. Their inclusion highlights the expansive institutional scope the petition touches, reflecting the serious political and financial implications of the case.
As the court prepares to hear the matter, the allegations against Dr. Muriuki have sent shockwaves through Kenya’s financial and political sectors. The outcome of this case could significantly reshape public discourse around corporate accountability, political financing, and institutional integrity in Kenya.