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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. Gachagua on ‘spilling secrets’ tag: I won't shut up, I'm an open book

    Ex-DP says he will not engage in the deceit of hidden cards and secret deals.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  2. PREMIUM Gachagua: Why Kalonzo is fit to be president

    Gachagua's open endorsement of Kalonzo highlights the Opposition's tricky road to 2027.

    Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua
  3. PREMIUM Gospel star Ben Githae's political U-turn in handshake with Gachagua

    With the 2027 political alliances brewing, Githae says he will delay his next political song.

    1000224678
  4. PREMIUM Ruto's 'murima' plan for 2027

    President's loyalists craft a plan targeting at least two million votes for his re-election bid.

    President William Ruto
  5. United Opposition faults Ruto for ‘constitutional shortcuts'

    Gachagua warns against attempts to infiltrate the opposition.

  6. Wamuthende to Gachagua: I won fair and square

    He dismisses claims that the government splashed Sh600m to woo voters.

  7. PREMIUM Inside Sh180 million UDA grassroots elections

    Party National Elections Board board says January 10 will be the new date for the final phase of grassroots polls.

    Anthony Mwaura
  8. PREMIUM Aisha Jumwa: Why I am ditching Ruto’s UDA

    On Friday, Ms Jumwa officially launched her PAA campaign with rallies in Ganze and Magarini constituencies.

    Aisha Jumwa
  9. PREMIUM Truth or trouble? The Gachagua question in opposition unity test

    Loved and loathed in equal measure, former DP's tongue may yet prove to be opposition's greatest weapon or its undoing.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  10. PREMIUM Ruto’s party set for elections in Gachagua’s backyard

    Decision to proceed with elections in the region follows UDA’s victory in Mbeere North by-election.

    William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua
  11. PREMIUM CS Ruku reveals failed attempts to save Gachagua from ouster

    'We sat him down three times. We tried to coach him on how to survive as DP.

  12. PREMIUM Revealed: How Opposition lost Malava, Mbeere North

    Two by-elections, 2 narrow defeats and a warning shot for the Opposition: 2027 will not be won on emotion alone.

    Ruto
  13. PREMIUM Gachagua vs Kindiki: High Court judges decline recusal in DP appointment case

    Justices Eric Ogolla, Antony Mrima, and Fredah Mugambi proceed to hear the case.

     Rigathi Gachagua
  14. PREMIUM Disunited? Tensions rise in opposition as Gachagua digs in

    Gachagua has been criticised for recent remarks that "cast DCP as the senior partner".

    New Content Item (1)
  15. PREMIUM How by-election results complicate Ruto 2027 running mate choice

    DP Kindiki, Prime CS Mudavadi and Governor Gladys Wanga have emerged as potential 2027 running-mate contenders.

    Ruto and Kindiki
  16. PREMIUM Gachagua plan to ringfence Nairobi seats risks opposition fallout

    Former DP says only his DCP party will field candidates for governor, senator and woman rep in the capital city.

    Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua
  17. PREMIUM By-elections fallout: Parties turn guns on MPs who backed rivals

    UDA and ODM plan tough measures on defiant lawmakers, including kicking them out of House leadership teams.

    Antoney Kibagendi, Caleb Amisi
  18. Chaos as goons disrupt Gachagua church service in Kariobangi

    Tens of goons storm Kariobangi PCEA church armed with crude weapons.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  19. PREMIUM How DP Kindiki beat Gachagua in Mbeere North

    Prof's change of strategy threw "formidable" opposition off-balance.

  20. PREMIUM Gachagua, Kalonzo team 2027 shocker in by-election loss

    United Opposition emerges weakened after losing hotly contested polls.

    Opposition leaders