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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 Gachagua speaks out on abortive Sunday TV interview

    Former DP had publicly announced that he would be live on TV but he was a no-show.

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
  2. PREMIUM Gaitho: Was Kindiki used to ‘cut’ Gachagua?

    The people of the mountain occupy a central place in Kenyan politics.

    Nation inside - 2024-10-19T132735.725
  3. PREMIUM Suspicious court e-filing glitch in Gachagua case

    Three petitioners allege intent to defeat justice after their payment was reversed.

    Rigathi Gachagua and Paul Muite
  4. PREMIUM How Ruto allies plot to win back hostile Central

    Lawmakers said to be planning to defend Gachagua from further 'persecution' to win favour with Mt Kenya voters.

  5. PREMIUM Why Kindiki will be treading on eggshells

    Having witnessed first-hand what happened to his predecessor, the new DP will have leant to speak softly.

    Kithure Kindiki
  6. PREMIUM Guilty by association? Fate of ‘Gachagua orphans’ hangs in the balance

    Civil servants face a bleak future, with talk of Cabinet reshuffle and advertising of PS jobs.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  7. PREMIUM DP Kindiki: The new sheriff in town

    DP Kindiki will be more subtle than the impeached Gachagua in how he moves to cement his position in the Ruto administration.

    William Ruto and Kithure Kindiki
  8. PREMIUM Kagwanja: Gachagua has exited, let us now raise the bar for our democracy

    Ahead of 2027, the country must break the trap of “one-day-democracy” that gives power to the people only during the voting day.

    Nation inside - 2024-10-06T082729.641
  9. PREMIUM Mwengi Mutuse: Why I don't regret moving motion to impeach Gachagua

    He denies being a political "gun for hire" by the state as alleged by supporters of the impeached DP.

    Mwengi Mutuse
  10. Gachagua: My political ambition is unstoppable

    Mr Gachagua asks his supporters to prepare for the next election with the events of 2024 in mind.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  11. PREMIUM Ndindi Nyoro riddle in Ruto, Gachagua fight

    Nyoro has until recently been the face of the forces against Gachagua in Mt Kenya.

    Ndindi Nyoro
  12. Gachagua finds solace in family as country ushers in next DP

    He was a heartbeat away from the presidency, but today, life has changed significantly.

  13. PREMIUM Kindiki isn't first varsity don to deputise a president

    His installation on Friday sets him on the path walked previously by men with various levels of success.

  14. New DP Kindiki has his work cut out for him

    Prof Kindiki should work with his boss to find ways to tackle the debilitating difficulties.

  15. Politics of nicknames: From Riggy G to Abra K

    As Abra K takes over from Riggy G, Kenyans have yet another emblem to rally around, meme about, and critique at every turn.

    Nation inside - 2024-10-19T132735.725
  16. PREMIUM Gachagua's bitter fight for political career

    Gachagua faces bleak political future after Kindiki is sworn-in as the Deputy President.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  17. PREMIUM The six laws of power that Gachagua broke

    By openly clashing with the president’s inner circle and more, Gachagua broke essential rules of political survival.

    Rigathi Gachagua and William Ruto
  18. PREMIUM Mt Kenya political minefield lying in wait for Kindiki

    Kindiki's toughest assignment will be to rally the region to back President Ruto.

    Kithure Kindiki
  19. PREMIUM After Gachagua ouster, which way Mt Kenya?

    Mt Kenya has historically played a decisive role in presidential elections.

    Nation inside - 2024-10-06T082729.641
  20. PREMIUM Gachagua allied MPs targeted in House purge

    Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is among 13 lawmakers targeted for ejection from influential committee leadership for “disloyalty” to President Ruto.

    Gachagua