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Rigathi Gachagua

DATE OF BIRTH


1965

GENDER


Male

OCCUPATION


Businessman, Politician

FAMILY


Married. Brother to late former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua.

BIOGRAPHY


Education: Early learning at Kabiruini Primary School. O- Levels and A-Levels at Kianyaga High School. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree; Political Science and Literature from University of Nairobi where he studied between 1985 and 1988. After that, he did Paramilitary Training at the Administration Police Institute in 1990.  He did an Advanced Public Administration Course at Kenya School of Government between 1999 and 2000. 

Early career: He worked in the Office of the President as a District Officer Cadet from 1990. He then rose to Personal Assistant to the Head of Public Service in 1991. He served as District Officer In charge of Ng’arua Division, Laikipia District from 1997 to 1999.

He served as Uhuru Kenyatta's Personal Assistant when he was Minister for Local Government. For four years between 2002 and 2006, Rigathi Gachagua was the custodian of Uhuru Kenyatta’s diary as his PA. As a Kanu presidential candidate in 2002, Mr Kenyatta travelled with Mr Gachagua throughout the country.

Mr Gachagua was the Mathira Constituency Member of Parliament between 2017 and 2022, when he ran for Deputy President as William Ruto's running mate on a UDA ticket. Dr Ruto and Mr Gachagua won the 2022 Presidential election and served as President and Deputy President respectively. 

However, on October 17, 2024, Senators voted to uphold his impeachment by MPs, effectively removing him from office.

Latest articles on Rigathi Gachagua:

  1. PREMIUM Why Gachagua’s DCP is not ready to work with Ukombozi coalition

    The "careful consideration" puts DCP at odds with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the coalition’s convener.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  2. DP Kindiki vows to unite Mt Kenya, rejects East-West split

    DP vows never to allow anyone to perpetrate violence in Mt Kenya region owing to political choices.

    Kithure Kindiki
  3. PREMIUM Inside UhuRuto fight for Raila’s political empire

    Uhuru remains determined to challenge Ruto’s political dominance.

  4. Kindiki to Mountain: Rally behind me and Ruto

    DP says development agenda will be critical to securing maximum benefits for the region.

    Kithure Kindiki
  5. PREMIUM Complicated: Mt Kenya ticket dilemma leaves Gachagua at a crossroads

    The dilemma is tied to his continuing legal battle over the impeachment that removed him from office in October 2024.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  6. PREMIUM Kindiki’s 30-trip campaign to reclaim Mt Kenya

    The DP has been in Meru more than 15 times, around seven in Tharaka Nithi and made seven in Embu.

  7. Respect Mt Kenya elders, Kindiki tells political rivals

    The DP, who was recently installed as region's kingpin ahead of the polls, appealed to politicians to heed the call for unity.

    Kithure Kindiki
  8. PREMIUM Macharia Gaitho: Comic battle for Mt Kenya crown

    The weekend colobus monkey skin installation was just the latest instalment in the fight for the non-existent post of Mt Kenya political kingpin.

  9. Geoffrey Ruku: Unity of Mt Kenya will be a big win for the whole region

    I have chosen the path that will make the Mountain people stronger, happier and prosperous.

  10. PREMIUM Kindiki coronation exposes deeper power fight

    Ruto allies claim former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had a hand in the event.

    Kithure Kindiki
  11. PREMIUM Scramble to own parties: The fight for power, money and influence

    Politicians are rushing to register new parties or acquire existing ones as mistrust rocks the political scene ahead of elections.

    Uhuru Kenyatta and Fred Matiang'i
  12. PREMIUM Gachagua US tour exposes DCP’s silent wars with Uhuru’s Jubilee, Nyoro new party

    Fault lines emerge within the opposition from Gachagua's remarks in the US.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  13. PREMIUM How Gachagua’s vetting plan for Ruto loyalists collapsed

    Gachagua had claimed a majority of government-affiliated leaders intended to align with him.

  14. PREMIUM 50,000 Mt Kenya elders gather to save political marriage

    The gathering follows a series of consultations by elders from Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi.

    elders
  15. Court to rule on Gachagua, Kalonzo bid to scrap national tallying centre

    Opposition leaders are pushing for changes to the system used to tally and declare presidential results.

  16. ‘Recognise Kindiki as spokesman’: Ruku sets Mt Kenya East -West unity condition

    The CS says he will put his ‘axe’ away if leaders from the West meet his demand.

    Ruku
  17. PREMIUM End of honeymoon? Linda Mwananchi power struggles spill out into the open

    Camps within the movement are divided over the party Sifuna should use.

    Edwin Sifuna
  18. PREMIUM 2027 race against time for IEBC: Countdown begins

    Political players and various institutions now expected to adhere to set constitutional and statutory requirements.

    IEBC
  19. PREMIUM ‘I’ll take your concession call’: Gachagua taunts Ruto from US tour

    Gachagua now says Ruto will lose by 7 million votes.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  20. PREMIUM New phase in battle for Mt Kenya as Gachagua, Nyoro camps face off

    Kiharu MP emerges as a vocal challenger to Gachagua’s grip on Mt Kenya.

    Ndindi Nyoro and Rigathi Gachagua