Rigathi Gachagua’s Biography: The Rise And Fall Of A Provincial Administrator
Rigathi Gachagua. [Photo/@rigathi/X]
Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua, Kenya’s former Deputy President, was born on February 28, 1965, in Hiriga village, Mathira, Nyeri County.
The eighth of nine children to Nahashon Gachagua Reriani and Martha Kirigo, both Mau Mau freedom fighters, Gachagua often traces his grit and patriotism to his parents’ role in the struggle for independence.
He began his education at Kabiruini Primary School before joining Kianyaga High School, where he completed his secondary studies. He later enrolled at the University of Nairobi, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Literature. At the university, he was actively involved in student leadership, serving as chairperson of the Nyeri District University Students Association (NDUSA).
Upon graduation, Gachagua joined the provincial administration as a District Officer, serving in various parts of the country. In 1990, he undertook advanced training at the Kenya School of Government. His career as a provincial administrator was defined by a reputation for firmness and a hands-on approach.
In 2001, Gachagua rose into national politics when he became the personal assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta, then deputy prime minister. He served in the role until 2006, gaining experience and networks that would later shape his political journey.
Gachagua formally entered politics in 2017, contesting and winning the Mathira Constituency parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket. In Parliament, he was a vocal defender of then-Deputy President William Ruto, especially after the political fallout between Ruto and President Kenyatta. His loyalty to Ruto strengthened his profile within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In May 2022, Ruto named Gachagua as his running mate in the presidential election. Their ticket won, and on September 13, 2022, Gachagua was sworn in as Kenya’s Deputy President.
As Deputy President, Gachagua had been tasked with spearheading reforms in the tea, coffee and dairy sectors, while also coordinating relations between the national and county governments. He has also fronted campaigns against illicit brews and drug abuse in Central Kenya.
Gachagua’s wealth
Gachagua’s wealth has been a subject of public scrutiny. In 2022, the High Court ordered the forfeiture of Sh200 million from his accounts to the state, ruling the money as unexplained assets. He has consistently maintained that his wealth, which he has publicly estimated at about Sh800 million to Sh1 billion, was lawfully acquired through business and farming. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has previously linked him to government tenders, allegations he denies.
Despite such controversies, Gachagua has fashioned himself as a blunt and pragmatic leader, often unafraid of making candid, if sometimes divisive, statements. His supporters celebrate him as a straight talker who speaks to the realities Kenyans face, while critics argue he stirs unnecessary political storms.
Away from politics, Gachagua is married to Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, who has championed causes around widows, orphans, and those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The couple has two sons.
Now aged 60, Gachagua’s influence is deeply felt in the Mount Kenya region and in national politics. His journey from a provincial administrator to the second-highest office in the land underscores a career marked by loyalty, resilience, and controversy.
