Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, aka Kanda ya Wira, has been nominated as Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate in the August 9 General Election.
DP Ruto made the announcement on Sunday at his official residence after a day long wait on Saturday.
On the shortlist, the DP said, were Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kandara MP Alice Wahome and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
After intense deliberations, Ruto settled on the first-term Mathira MP, who he described as a topnotch mobiliser and a true champion of the weak and poor in society.
So who is Rigathi Gachagua?
Rigathi, 56, was born in Ruguru, Mathira constituency.
He is a brother of former Nyeri Governor, the late Nderitu Gachagua.
He joined Kabiruini Primary School for his Certificate of Primary Education between 1971 and 1977, before proceeding to Kianyaga High School for his O and A-levels until 1983.
Rigathi joined the University of Nairobi in 1985 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Literature in 1988.
Upon graduation, he was employed as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs where he worked between 1989 and 1990.
In 1990, he was recruited as a District Officer cadet and underwent training at the Administration Police Institute (Paramilitary Training) and the Kenya School of Government (Advanced Public Administration Course 1999-2000).
He served in the Provincial Administration as a DO for 14 years in various areas, among them Kirinyaga, Kiambaa, Limuru, Ng’arua, Kakamega and Garissa, with a short break as PA to Head of Public Service (1991-93).
Between 2001 and 2006, Rigathi was the Personal Assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta, then Leader of Opposition.
When Uhuru was appointed Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, Rigathi left to do business. He is linked with Ridor Group of Companies and Wamunyoro Investments Limited, among others, some under the DCI radar over graft allegations.
He joined politics in 2017, when he was elected Mathira MP on the Jubilee Party ticket.
Soon after the election, a by-election was announced in his home ward of Ruguru, and an event during the campaigns thrust him into the national limelight.
His supporter was caught on camera slapping an election observer over claims she was allied to Maendeleo Chap Chap, a participant in the polls in Nyeri.
After a huge uproar, Gachagua distanced himself from the actions of James Wanjohi, the perpetrator, saying he could not be held responsible for the actions of each of his supporters.
Rigathi has also been a popular TV panellist on Mt Kenya and national politics, and a close ally of DP Ruto in Central.
He has, however, been accused of graft and money laundering, and is fighting court battles over the same. The legislator says the allegations are politically sponsored.
Detective accuse the MP of registering 49 companies that he allegedly used to trade with various agencies in an intricate web that saw him win tenders worth more than Sh12 billion. Gachagua has denied the claims.
