Rigathi Gachagua

Last updated
Dorcas Wanjiku
​
(m. 1991)​
Rigathi Gachagua
Rigathi Gachagua - 2023 (cropped).jpg
Gachagua in 2023
12th Deputy President of Kenya
Assumed office
13 September 2022
Children2
Education
Occupation
  • Politician
  • Administrator
  • Businessman
Website deputypresident.go.ke

Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua (born 28 February 1965) is a Kenyan politician who is serving as Deputy President of Kenya since 2022. He previously served as the Member of Parliament for Mathira Constituency [1] between 2017 and 2022 as a member of the Jubilee Party. In the 2022 election, William Ruto selected Gachagua as his running mate, and the two were elected with just over 50% of the vote. [2] [3]

Contents

He previously served in various junior roles in government, including assistant secretary [4] in the Ministry of Home Affairs & National Heritage, personal assistant to the Head of the Public Service, [4] personal assistant to Minister for Local Government Uhuru Kenyatta [5] and a district officer.

Early life and education (1965-1988)

He was born in 1965 in Hiriga village of Nyeri County, the eighth-born child of Nahashon Gachagua Reriani and Martha Kirigo. [6] His parents were Mau Mau freedom fighters in Mt.Kenya forest where his father serviced guns for the Mau Mau while his mother was a food and ammunition courier for the fighters. [7] He is the younger brother to the late Nderitu Gachagua, the first governor of Nyeri County. [2]

He enrolled at Kabiruini Primary School from 1971 to 1977 before proceeding to Kianyaga High School for his O-levels and A-levels. In 1985, he joined the University of Nairobi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Literature in 1988. [8]

At the University of Nairobi, Gachagua was the Nyeri District University Students Association (NDUSA) leader as well as the chairman of the Association of Literature Students. [9]

Career

After graduating, Gachagua was employed for a short time at the Kenya's Ministry of Home Affairs & National Heritage before he joined the Administration Police Institute in 1990. After graduating from the Administration Police Institute, Gachagua was posted at the Office of President Daniel arap Moi as a District Officer Cadet between 1991 and 1992. [9]

Gachagua then went on to serve as a District Officer in Kakamega, Ng'arua and Laikipia districts. Between 1999 and 2000, he joined Kenya School of Government where he graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration. [10] Between 2001 and 2006, Gachagua worked as the Personal Assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta. [11]

Between 2007 and 2017, Gachagua remained behind the scenes running his businesses. [12] [13]

Political career

Member of Parliament

Gachagua was elected as a member of parliament for Mathira constituency in the 2017 election. [14]

Rigathi Gachagua is known for his outspoken, aggressive and sometimes abrasive style of politics. [15] His time as a legislator was characterized by championing issues that centered primarily on the needs of Mount Kenya residents; often he addressed issues by publicly putting the authority figures mandated to solve them to task. William Ruto would later cite this as one of the reasons Gachagua was chosen as his running mate saying, “Gachagua is a very passionate leader, a people's person. He speaks about ordinary people...” [16]

In 2017, Gachagua took on Keriako Tobiko as the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry. The Cabinet Secretary had  raised the alarm regarding overexploitation of upstream water resources in the Mt. Kenya Region and directed the Kenya Forest Service to destroy illegal intakes. [17] Gachagua claimed that many of the intakes destroyed were legal and that this had occasioned a water crisis for thousands of people. He said, “I am calling for his [Tobiko's] sacking on the basis of incompetence; he is not able to appraise the situation. He did not do due diligence on the legality of the intakes and he failed in analysis of the humanitarian crisis arising from the situation.” [18]

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Simon Chelugui, was drawn into the fray, meeting with Gachagua and other Mt Kenya legislators over the matter. He promised to have all intakes with necessary documentation restored. [19]

Legislation

In 2019, Gachagua sponsored an amendment bill to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. [20] He argued that Kenyan firms could not fairly compete and would be run out of the market by Chinese firms that were able to get loans at less than a sixth the interest rates. [21] He was also critical of the alleged market advantages the Chinese received when carrying out government business, he said "What is annoying us is that once they get a contract the materials coming for the construction is procured from China, and they import it duty free." [22] The amendment reserved government contracts under 1 billion shillings for local companies and proposed stiffer penalties for circumventing the local ownership requirements for larger contracts. [21] The bill would eventually be turned down by the National Assembly's Finance and National Planning committee, citing limited local capacity to provide goods and services as the reason. [23]

Deputy president

On 15 May 2022, he was nominated as the running mate to the United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate Ruto under the Kenya Kwanza political coalition. Others who were eyeing the same position included Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kandara MP Alice Muthoni Wahome, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure A. Kindiki and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi. [24]

Gachagua has a chequered past with pending court cases over alleged cases of misappropriation of government funds. [25]

On 28 July 2022, a Kenyan court ordered Rigathi Gachagua to reimburse KSh. 202 million (US$1.7 million), finding that the money was derived from corruption. [26]

In November 2022, Rigathi Gachagua faced corruption charges in a $60 million case. These charges were eventually dropped. [27]

Personal life

Rigathi is married to Dorcas Wanjiku Rigathi, [28] a retired banker who is now a pastor in Mathira. [29] [30]

They met at a joint university event at the University of Nairobi in 1985. They got married in 1989 and have two sons, Kevin and Keith. [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenya African National Union</span> Political party in Kenya

The Kenya African National Union (KANU) is a Kenyan political party that ruled for nearly 40 years after Kenya's independence from British colonial rule in 1963 until its electoral loss in 2002. It was known as Kenya African Union (KAU) from 1944 but due to pressure from the colonial government, KAU changed its name to Kenya African Study Union (KASU) mainly because all political parties were banned in 1939 following the start of the Second World War. In 1946 KASU rebranded itself into KAU following the resignation of Harry Thuku as president due to internal differences between the moderates who wanted peaceful negotiations and the militants who wanted to use force, the latter forming the Aanake a forty, which later became the Mau Mau. His post was then occupied by James Gichuru, who stepped down for Jomo Kenyatta in 1947 as president of KAU. The KAU was banned by the colonial government from 1952 to 1960. It was re-established by James Gichuru in 1960 and renamed KANU on 14 May 1960 after a merger with Tom Mboya's Kenya Independence Movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Kenya</span> Head of state and government of Kenya

The president of the Republic of Kenya is the head of state and head of government of the Republic of Kenya. The president is also the head of the executive branch of the Government of Kenya and is the commander-in-chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. The country's current president is William Ruto since 13 September 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalonzo Musyoka</span> 10th Vice President of Kenya

Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka is a Kenyan politician who was the tenth Vice-President of Kenya from 2008 to 2013. Musyoka served in the government under the late President Daniel arap Moi as the Secretary of Kenya African National Union party (1980-1988), Assistant Minister for Works (1986-1988), Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly (1988-1992), Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1993 until 1998, Minister of Education (1998-2001); and subsequently, under the late President Mwai Kibaki, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs again from 2003 to 2004, then Minister of the Environment from 2004 to 2005. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2007 presidential election, after which he was appointed vice-president by Kibaki in January 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyeri</span> City in Nyeri County, Kenya

Nyeri is a town situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya. It is the county headquarters of Nyeri County. The town was the central administrative headquarters of the country's former Central Province. Following the dissolution of the former provinces by Kenya's new constitution on 26 August 2010, the city is situated about 150 km north of Kenya's capital Nairobi, in the country's densely populated and fertile Central Highlands, lying between the eastern base of the Aberdare (Nyandarua) Range, which forms part of the eastern end of the Great Rift Valley, and the western slopes of Mount Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Ruto</span> President of Kenya since 2022

William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto is a Kenyan politician who is the fifth and current president of Kenya since 13 September 2022. Prior to becoming president, he served as the first elected deputy president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022. Previously, holders of the position were referred to as Vice President and the officeholder was unelected and appointed by the President. He previously served in three cabinet portfolios as the Minister for Home Affairs, the Minister of Agriculture and as Minister for Higher Education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raila Odinga</span> Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013

Raila Amolo Odinga is a Kenyan politician who served as the Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013. He was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Langata Constituency from 1992 to 2013 and has been the Leader of Opposition in Kenya since 2013. He is the leader of Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party.

Waruhiu Itote, nom de guerreGeneral China, was one of the key leaders of the Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960) in British Kenya alongside Dedan Kimathi, Stanley Mathenge, Kurito ole Kisio, Musa Mwariama and Muthoni Kirima.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deputy President of Kenya</span> Second-highest constitutional office in Kenya

The deputy president of the Republic of Kenya is the principal assistant of the President of the Republic of Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nyeri County</span> County in Kenya

Nyeri County is a county located in the central region of Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Nyeri. It has a population of 759,164 and an area of 2361 km2. Mutahi Kahiga was governor as of 2022. Previous governors include Nderitu Gachagua, who died while receiving treatment in London, Wamathai Samuel Githaiga, and Wahome Gakuru, who died in a road accident at Kabati near Kenol heading towards Thika Super Highway. It is also the home county of the third president of Kenya, the late President Mwai Kibaki.

Esther Murugi Mathenge is a Kenyan politician. She is a former Member of Parliament for Nyeri Town Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya.

Isaac Kiprono Ruto is a Kenyan politician. He is the Chama Cha Mashinani Party leader. He was elected the first governor of Bomet County in 2013 Kenyan general elections. He hails from Tumoi, Sigor in Chepalungu constituency and went to Tenwek High School where he proceeded to study Political Science at the University of Nairobi. He is also a former chairman of the Council of Governors in Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Republican Party (Kenya)</span> Political party in Kenya

The United Republican Party (URP) was a political party in Kenya.

James Nderitu Gachagua was a Kenyan politician who served as the first governor of Nyeri County having been elected in March 2013 on a GNU party ticket alongside deputy governor, Wamathai Samwel Githaiga. Nderitu studied law at the University of Nairobi. Before becoming governor, he served as the Member of Parliament for Mathira constituency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jubilee Party</span> Nationalist political party in Kenya

The Jubilee Party of Kenya is a major political party in Kenya. It was the country's ruling party from 2016 to 13 September 2022. The party was founded on 8 September 2016, following the merger of 11 smaller parties. During the 2017 election, the Jubilee Party secured a plurality of seats in Parliament and the party leader, Uhuru Kenyatta, was re-elected president.

Johnson Arthur Sakaja is a Kenyan politician serving as the governor of Nairobi City County since 25 August 2022. Previously, he served as the Senator of Nairobi from 2017 to 2022, and as a nominated Member of the National Assembly from 2013 to 2017. He was nominated to Parliament by The National Alliance (TNA) party which was part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition. He was the National Chairman of The National Alliance (TNA) until 9 September 2016 when the party merged with 12 others to form the Jubilee Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ndindi Nyoro</span> Kenyan politician

Ndindi Nyoro, CBS, MP is a Kenyan politician, an economist and an entrepreneur, and currently the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kiharu Constituency serving a second term. Ndindi belongs to United Democratic Alliance (UDA), a political party under the Kenya Kwanza alliance led by the current and fifth president of Kenya, Dr William Ruto. He is a graduate of Kenyatta University with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and was a student leader at the same university. Ndindi occupies a markedly controversial position in Kenya's political life, having risen to prominence with his disdain for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga, and later an unequivocal supporter for William Ruto's 2022 presidential bid. Ndindi has been rated as among the best performing Members of Parliament in Kenya, and he is currently the Chairman of Budget and Appropriations Committee in the National Assembly. During Kenya's 59th Jamhuri Day, Ndindi was feted by President William Ruto with an honour of Chief of Burning Spear (CBS) for his exemplary development record in Kiharu constituency.

Abraham Kithure Kindiki is a Kenyan politician and lawyer serving as the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government. He represented Tharaka-Nithi County in the Kenyan Senate from 2013 until 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Kenyan general election</span>

General elections were held in Kenya on Tuesday, 9 August 2022. Voters elected the president, governors, senators, members of the National Assembly, and members of county assemblies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Democratic Alliance (Kenya)</span> Political party in Kenya

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is the current ruling political party in Kenya. Their slogan is "Kazi ni Kazi" and their symbol is a wheelbarrow. The party, initially called the Party of Development and Reforms, officially changed its name to UDA in December 2020. The party became notable in January 2021, and is allied with William Ruto, the President of Kenya. It tends to be more popular among the Kalenjin people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenya Kwanza</span> Coalition of political groups in Kenya

Kenya Kwanza is a Kenyan political alliance currently headed by William Ruto. The political coalition currently holds a majority in both the National Assembly and Senate of Kenya. It was formed in the period leading up to the 2022 Kenyan general election, originally consisting of three parties: the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Amani National Congress and FORD–Kenya. By 8 April 2022, several more political parties had joined the alliance, bringing the total number of constituent parties to 12. On 18 August 2022, a number of politicians from the United Democratic Movement announced they would be joining the alliance.

References

  1. ↑ "ODINGA". The Nation . 16 May 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 Menya, Walter (15 May 2022). "Rigathi Gachagua: The village boy a step away from becoming Kenya's DP". The Nation . Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "Kenya election result: William Ruto wins presidential poll". BBC News. 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  4. 1 2 "Hon. NDINDI NYORO, Rigathi | The Kenyan Parliament Website". www.parliament.go.ke. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  5. ↑ "PROFILE: Rigathi Gachagua - Uhuru's one-time Personal Assistant, seeking to become DP". Citizen Digital. 2022-07-16. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  6. ↑ "Rigathi Gachagua family". Kenyan Moves. 21 Sep 2022. Retrieved 21 Sep 2022.
  7. ↑ "Rigathi Gachagua Biography: Age, Early Life, Education, Family and Political Career". Financial Notes Bulletin. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "RIGATHI GACHAGUA". Venasnews.co.ke. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 Kamau, John (16 May 2022). "How Kanu groomed Ruto, Gachagua bromance". The Nation . Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Kenya, Parliament (15 May 2022). "Hon. Gachagua, Rigathi". The Kenya Parliament . Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  11. ↑ Muli, Francis (16 May 2022). "5 little-known things about Rigathi Gachagua". www.pd.co.ke. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  12. ↑ Kinyanjui, Moses (16 May 2022). "Rigathi Gachagua: From office administrator to DP Ruto's running mate". www.citizen.digital. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "Ridor Group of Companies". Yellow pages Kenya . Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  14. ↑ Ng'etich, Jacob (16 May 2022). "Rigathi Gachagua: From Uhuru's personal assistant to his harshest critic after political tiff". The Standard . Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "Rigathi Gachagua: Aggresive, combative and forceful". The Star. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  16. ↑ "DP Ruto reveals why he picked MP Gachagua as running mate". Citizen Digital. 2022-06-12. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  17. ↑ Ombati, Cyrus. "High number of water intakes in Mt Kenya forest worries CS Tobiko". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  18. ↑ "Rigathi Gachagua". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  19. ↑ "Government put to task over 'legal' water intakes". Nation. 2020-06-28. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  20. ↑ "Report on the consideration of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal (Amendment) Bill (N.A. Bills No. 36 of 2019)" (PDF). The Kenyan Parliament.
  21. 1 2 Otieno, Rawlings. "MP Rigathi: My beef with Chinese businessmen". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  22. ↑ "MP wants Chinese contracts limited to save Kenyan businesses". Citizen Digital. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2022-09-15.
  23. ↑ March 22, 2020, Sunday (2020-09-19). "MPs reject locking out of foreign contractors". Business Daily. Retrieved 2022-09-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ Asamba, Mercy (15 May 2022). "DP Ruto picks Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate". The Star . Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  25. ↑ Wainaina, Ndung'u (16 May 2022). "Rigathi Gachagua's political journey". The Standard . Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  26. ↑ "Afrique Kenya: le colistier de William Ruto condamné à rembourser 1,7 million d'euros à l'Etat". RFI . 29 July 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  27. ↑ Thirouard, Albane (12 November 2022). "Kenya: abandon des charges contre le vice-président Rigathi Gachagua". RFI (in French). Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "Meet Rigathi Gachagua's Little Known Wife Who Is A Pastor". KDR News. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
  29. ↑ "Dorcas Rigathi: From pulpit to Second Lady's office". KBC. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  30. ↑ "Gachagua: My vision as deputy president". Nation. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
  31. ↑ "Meet Gachagua's son who topped 2010 KCSE, runs family business". The Star News. 2022-09-19. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
National Assembly (Kenya)
Preceded by
Peter Weru Kinyua
 Member of the Parliament for Mathira
2017–2022		Succeeded by
Eric Mwangi Kahugu
Party political offices
New political party UDA nominee for Deputy President of Kenya
2022 		Most recent
New political alliance Kenya Kwanza nominee for Deputy President of Kenya
2022
Political offices
Preceded by Deputy President of Kenya
2022–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.