• Rigathi is married to Dorcas Wanjiku, a pastor in Mathira; they have two children.
• He was an administrator, Uhuru Kenyatta's secretary. He underwent paramilitary training in 1990.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU
Brash, abrasive and combative, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua was a controversial running mate pick, strongly opposed by DP Ruto's inner circle.
They favoured Senator Professor Kindiki Kithure of Tharaka Nithi as having wider appeal in Mt Kenya. He is a former Senate majority leader.
Some critics said Ruto and Gachagua were too much alike and he wouldn't add much to the ticket.
But Ruto overruled them and chose his friend Gachagua, saying loyalty was the most important quality and Gachagua was smart and experienced.
Raila Odinga chose former Justice minister Martha Karua to be his running mate.
In 1999, Gachagua attended the Kenya School of Government, studying Advanced Public Administration.
Earlier, he had undergone paramilitary training at the Administration Police Institute. Two years earlier, he graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and literature.
At UoN, Gachagua was the Nyeri University Students Association leader and chairman of the Association of Literature Students.
His first formal employment was a low-cadre job as assistant secretary in the ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage in President Daniel Moi's regime.
He held this position between 1989 and 1990, then moved into the Office of the President as District Officer Cadet until 1991.
He stayed there until 1999. He was personal assistant to the Head of Public Service (1991-93), District Officer I (Kakamega District 1995-96; Laikipia District 1997-99).
He also worked as DO 1 in Kirinyaga, Wajir, Turkana and Kiambu. During the deputy presidential debate on July 26, Gachagua said there is almost no place he hasn't visited.
Gachagua was the personal assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta from 2001 to 2006, when Uhuru was the Minister for Local Government.
During this time, Gachagua became the director of the Ridor Group of Companies, a position he still holds, according to records in Parliament. Between 2007 and 2017, he engaged in private business
POLITICS
Gachagua plunged into politics in 2017 when he was elected MP for Mathira on a Jubilee Party ticket.
In the 2022 general election, he defended the seat, then was chosen as Ruto's running mate on May 15.
Gachagua faced stiff competition, surpassing National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Kandara MP Alice Wahome and Meru Senator Kithure Kindiki.
IN COURT
Gachagua's political journey isn't without blemish. He has had encounters in the corridors of justice, some threatening his political career
On July 28, a court ordered him to surrender to the state Sh202 million from several accounts. While delivering the ruling at the Milimani law courts, Justice Esther Maina agreed with the Assets Recovery Agency that the funds were proceeds of crime.
The funds are held in four accounts at Rafiki Micro Finance Bank, three of which are under Gachagua's name.
Gachagua dismissed the order as a sham trial and said judge Maina was biased.
He said he received he funds from government agencies and entities through award of contracts. The MP said he was denied a chanceto prove that the funds were acquired legally.
"She (the judge) refused my request to call witnesses to testify on how I got my money," Gachagua said.
During the presidential campaign, Gachagua said he would recover all his frozen funds and build a fancy house if Kenya Kwanza takes power.
"I will build a nice house and also a nice place where men can grill meat and also drink what we drink as we talk," Gachagua said.
His three accounts were frozen in 2020 over money laundering allegations.
Gachugua was being investigated for allegedly colluding with officials from Nyeri county and the state department of Irrigation to receive money suspected to be proceeds of crime via his companies and close associates.
Part of the cash held in the accounts is what the courts want surrendered.
FAMILY
Born Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua in 1965 in Mathira constituency of what is now Nyeri county, Gachagua's life has been a roller coaster.
He was the eighth born child to Nashashon Gachagua Reriani and Martha Kirigo. He is the younger brother of Nderitu Gachagua, first governor of Nyeri (deceased).
He is married to pastor Dorcas Wanjiku; they have two children.
(Edited by V. Graham)