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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 'United Opposition' storms Raila's stronghold

    Leaders call on region to cast their lot with one of the opposition figures in 2027.

    Opposition leaders
  2. PREMIUM How Kindiki tours rattled Kalonzo’s bedrock

    Talk on unlocking Ukambani’s economic potential dominated the tours across the region.

    Kithure Kindiki
  3. PREMIUM How Gen Z protests revived Gachagua’s political career

    Former Deputy President has declared himself ‘father’ of Gen Z movement.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  4. Raila: Gachagua cannot lead Kenya in the right direction

    ODM leader describes Gachagua as is a tribal bigot, dismisses ‘Wantam’ slogan.

    Raila Odinga and Rigathi Gachagua
  5. Gachagua: What went wrong on June 25

    When the guns fell silent and the choking air cleared, fingers pointed at Mr Gachagua for sponsoring goons, but he blames the state.

    Rigathi Gachagua, William Ruto and Kipchumba Murkomen
  6. PREMIUM River Yala extrajudicial killings: Matiang'i ready to spill the beans

    The former Interior Cabinet Secretary served until September 13, 2022, when President William Ruto assumed office.

     Fred Matiang'i
  7. PREMIUM Abduction survivor Billy Mwangi to contest Embu senatorial race

    I think currently there are no laws that properly protect the youth and that is why they are being killed.

    Billy Mwangi
  8. PREMIUM Why Ruto loyalists fear a Gachagua-led government

    Ruto's Kenya Kwanza rattled by Gachagua's political resurgence.

    William Ruto
  9. PREMIUM The warmongers: Ruto allies step up threats over protests

    Ruto allies send chilling warning to those planning to take part in June 25 protests.

    David Ndii
  10. Kalonzo cracks the whip on Kitui, Machakos Speakers over ties with Ruto

    The two County Speakers have received separate show-cause letters from Wiper Party.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  11. PREMIUM Did you just say that? Gachagua’s art of doublespeak

    Ruto's camp has criticised Gachagua for over 15 statements they say contradict his public position when he was in office.

    Gachagua
  12. PREMIUM Battle for Mt Kenya East: Gachagua urges Meru to ditch Ruto

    Former Deputy President takes his anti-government campaign to Kindiki's backyard.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  13. PREMIUM Ex-Senator Kivuti: Why I rejected President Ruto's job offer

    What Dr Ruto did was tantamount to stripping Mr Muturi naked.

    Nation inside (5)
  14. PREMIUM Mt Kenya rebellion is scaring Ruto’s loyalists about polls

    Some Ruto allies are toying with the idea of dumping him.

    William Ruto
  15. PREMIUM Uhuru's Jubilee versus Rigathi's DCP: Which way Mt Kenya?

    Gachagua’s critics gang up to front alternative political outfits in vote-rich region.

    Rigathi Gachagua and Uhuru Kenyatta
  16. Kalonzo dismisses Kindiki overtures, vows to stay in Opposition

    Wiper Party leader says he will not ditch the Opposition to join hands with Ruto.

    Kalonzo Musyoka
  17. Ruto: I won’t hand over power to ‘bitter, planless’ Opposition

    President Ruto has accused opposition politicians of lacking a national development agenda.

    William Ruto
  18. PREMIUM Ruto, Raila, Gachagua and the complex maths shaping 2027 alliances

    President's strategists have crunched the numbers and concluded that the Mt Kenya vote must be split.

    Raila Odinga
  19. PREMIUM Hi Cousins: New terms, old tactics in Kenya’s politics of ethnic identity

    Former deputy president dives into a strategy well crafted to balkanise voting blocs.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  20. PREMIUM Makau Mutua: I am not your cousin, Mr Gachagua

    Mr Gachagua divided Kenyans into two hostile groups in a company called Kenya.

     Rigathi Gachagua.