Partial record
Rigathi Gachagua
Deputy President 2022 to Oct 2024 (impeached). Former Mathira MP. Leader of DCP.
Held power before. Actions first; uncontradicted words and reports count less.
What the record shows
- DIn July 2022 the Anti-Corruption Court ordered forfeiture of Sh202 million, finding he could not prove how the money was raised.
- DIn January 2023 the forfeiture order was set aside by consent between the parties and the State agreed to pay his costs. That was a settlement, not a ruling on the merits.
- DImpeached and removed as Deputy President in October 2024.
- DOn 8 June 2026 the High Court upheld the impeachment but found his fair-hearing rights were violated in the Senate and awarded him Sh50 million. He said he would appeal.
- APolled 4% in Infotrak's June 2026 survey and 18% in TIFA's mid-2026 survey. The polls differ widely.
- DOne of the United Opposition principals working on a single-candidate coalition formula for 2027.
On the issues voters rank highest
- DCost of living: Championed the Finance Act 2023, which doubled fuel VAT and created the Housing Levy. He now promises lower taxes; that promise is not counted because his record contradicts it.
- DCorruption: A 2022 court order to forfeit Sh202 million was set aside by consent in January 2023, not decided on the merits. The opposition's September 2026 plan promises to revoke title deeds for about 150,000 acres of allegedly grabbed land.
- SHealthcare: Leads the opposition push to scrap SHA and restore NHIF, which Kindiki attacked in January 2026.
- SSecurity: The opposition's 100-day plan (September 2026) promises zero tolerance for political violence and a crackdown on illicit brews.
- DHandouts and ethnic appeals: As Deputy President he called the government a company with 'shareholders' and said those who voted for it should reap more, which critics read as favouring Mt Kenya. He first refused to apologise, then said it was not meant to be tribal and apologised.
In the order voters ranked them in Infotrak's December 2025 poll. Shown for reference; not used in matching.
What they said, and what they did
- Said they wouldNow pledges to scrap the Housing Levy and cut taxes (September 2026 100-day plan).What they didDAs Deputy President he championed the Finance Act 2023 that created the levy, told MPs who opposed it not to ask for roads, and urged the courts not to block it.
Contradicted by the record. Not counted.
- Said they wouldTax breaks for investors who create jobs, such as a five-year tax waiver for a firm employing 100 Kenyans.What they didINot tested: he never ran economic policy. Not used for a placement, because his economic record (coffee reforms) points the other way.
- Said they wouldProsecute those responsible for protester deaths in 2024 and 2025.What they didSNo record in office yet. Counts as a stated position.
Where the evidence points, by dimension
Role of the state in the economy: Leans state-led (low confidence)
As Deputy President he led state-driven coffee-sector reform efforts (verify specific measures).
Land, wealth and taxes: Leans low redistribution (low confidence)
As Deputy President in 2023 he campaigned for the Finance Bill, telling MPs who opposed it not to ask for roads, and defended the Housing Levy.
Institutions and power-sharing: Leans executive-centred (low confidence)
After the High Court struck down the Housing Levy in November 2023 he publicly pleaded with judges not to 'sabotage' it.
Political style: Leans anti-establishment (medium confidence)
Former second-in-command now leads an opposition party.
Social values: Socially conservative (medium confidence, stated position)
S Called the Supreme Court's February 2023 ruling allowing an LGBTQ rights group to register 'satanic' and 'against our beliefs'. His campaigns lean heavily on church platforms.
Civil liberties: Leans liberty-first (low confidence, stated position)
S The opposition's 100-day plan he unveiled in September 2026 pledges to prosecute those behind the deaths of 2024 and 2025 protesters. He was Deputy President during the 2024 protests, but the police did not answer to him. His claim that he objected inside government is disputed by Kindiki.
What they appear to have stood for
On his record as Deputy President he championed the government's tax measures, so his new tax-cutting promises are not counted. His socially conservative statements are counted as stated positions. His faith-based and regional messaging is not counted, because he has held executive power. The clearest documented pattern is a shift from government insider to opposition leader.
Compare side by side
Contradictions in the record
- IHelped form the administration he now campaigns against (interpretation).
- IThe forfeiture finding and its later consent settlement point in different directions and should not be read as a verdict either way.
Sources (14)
- Standard: court orders Gachagua to surrender Sh202m
- Standard: Gachagua gets back seized millions
- Nation: opposition principals meet
- Standard: Finance Bill will pass with or without you, Gachagua tells opposition
- Capital FM: Gachagua pleads with judges over Housing Levy
- Standard: Gachagua to appeal ruling upholding impeachment
- Nation: Gachagua unveils opposition's 100-day plan (Sept 2026)
- Citizen: Gachagua promises tax incentives to investors who create jobs
- Nation: leaders react to Supreme Court LGBTQ ruling (March 2023)
- Kenyans.co.ke: Infotrak poll, June 2026
- allAfrica: TIFA poll, May 2026
- Citizen: 'Shareholders remark is biblical', Gachagua won't apologise
- Capital FM: Gachagua repents over 'shareholder' government
- Standard: Kindiki hits out at opposition over plan to scrap SHA (Jan 2026)
How to read this page
Actions come first: laws, votes, decisions, court cases. Words count less, and only where the record is thin and not contradicted. A leader with real power now is judged on actions only. Tags: D documented, A attributed to a named source, I our interpretation, U not yet re-checked, S stated position, H hearsay. An allegation is not a finding. This is a research draft, not voting advice. Read the full method.