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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, Kalonzo, Matiang’i move to seal cracks in opposition

    Musyoka and Matiang’i released photos, but there were conflicting accounts on when they were taken.

  2. PREMIUM Disquiet simmers in Gachagua’s DCP over ‘preferred candidates’

    Aspirants are fearing that race for some seats may have already been decided.

  3. PREMIUM 'Government mole'? Behind Nyoro’s plan to deny Ruto second term

    Nyoro has come under frequent attacks for allegedly being a “government mole” in the opposition.

    Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro
  4. PREMIUM Gachagua’s 2027 gamble: The thinking behind Kalonzo-Sifuna plan

    The very strategy designed to make him indispensable is exposing him to fresh challenges.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  5. PREMIUM Governor Lenku's new party: What it means for ODM, Ruto and the Maa region

    FEDA could complicate the battle for Maa votes ahead of 2027.

  6. Ruto’s Gusii tour set against backdrop of Matiang’i-Gachagua political fight

    The president faces a politically charged reception.

    William Ruto
  7. PREMIUM The Mt Kenya ticket dilemma as Gachagua faces fresh resistance

    The question of who will carry Mt Kenya’s interests on the presidential ticket is threatening to unsettle Gachagua’s strategy.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  8. PREMIUM What next for Kalonzo as Ngilu enters Gachagua, Sifuna alliance

    Ngilu’s involvement could challenge Kalonzo’s influence.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  9. PREMIUM Asset and rabble rouser: Two sides of Gachagua in the opposition

    Former DP accused Mr Muturi and Dr Matiang'i of failing to mobilise votes and waiting for him to deliver presidency.

    Rigathi Gachagua.
  10. PREMIUM Macharia Gaitho: Ethnic kingpins dominate politics

    High-ranking fellows are focused on projecting themselves as ethnic kingpins than national leaders.

  11. PREMIUM Gachagua vs Matiang’i: War of words shakes Opposition

    DCP leader made a proposal that seemed to downplay some opposition leaders' influence.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  12. PREMIUM Inside cat-and-mouse unity talks between Uhuru and Gachagua

    Their relations worsened during 2022 campaigns and after Gachagua became Deputy President.

    Uhuru and Gachagua
  13. PREMIUM Irungu Kang'ata: Opposition must offer an economic alternative

    Opposition should guarantee free day secondary education. Fees burden households and interrupt learning

  14. PREMIUM Courting Kalonzo: Why Ruto camp wants Wiper boss

    President Ruto has made open overtures targeting the Wiper leader.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  15. PREMIUM Village visits, roadside rallies and now TikTok: Kenya’s 2027 politics of ‘last mile’

    Politicians are turning their attention to the “ground”.

  16. PREMIUM Vincent Ongore: Why 2027 could prove a tricky year for fiscal consolidation bid

    The next one year is likely to experience fiscal populism and expenditure as the State heightens recurrent spending on visible localised projects.

    New Content Item (1)
  17. PREMIUM The oracle of Wamunyoro and the literature of pilgrimage

    Kenya, it seems, has found its navel in Wamunyoro.

  18. PREMIUM Opposition unity faces acid test as Sifuna’s big day exposes divisions

    The drama is playing out within a week after Gachagua separately met Sifuna and Musyoka at his Wamunyoro home.

    Edwin Sifuna
  19. PREMIUM Tough options for Kalonzo as opposition seeks to pick candidate

    The Wiper leader is weighing a fresh presidential bid, a possible alliance with Rigathi Gachagua and overtures from Ruto as divisions deepen over who should lead team.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  20. Philip Kaudo: Many parties don’t signal democratisation

    According to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, Kenya currently hosts 101 fully registered political parties.

    UDA