Biography
Rigathi Gachagua
Deputy President 2022 to Oct 2024 (impeached). Former Mathira MP. Leader of DCP.
Rigathi Gachagua was Kenya's Deputy President from 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024, the first holder of the office removed that way. Gachagua now leads the DCP and is one of the loudest voices in the United Opposition. Born on 28 February 1965 in Hiriga village, Nyeri County. Age 61.
- Full name
- Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua
- Born
- 28 February 1965, Hiriga village, Nyeri County
- Party
- Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), part of the United Opposition
- Family
- Married to Dorcas Rigathi.
Education
- Kianyaga High SchoolO- and A-levels
- University of NairobiBA in Political Science and Literature (1988)
- Kenya School of GovernmentAdvanced Diploma in Public Administration (2000)
Career
- 1990sDistrict Officer in the provincial administration under Moi
- 2001 to 2006Personal assistant to Uhuru Kenyatta
- 2017 to 2022MP for Mathira (Jubilee, then allied to Ruto)
- 13 September 2022Sworn in as Deputy President
- October 2024Impeached: the National Assembly voted on 8 October and the Senate upheld three charges on 17 October
- 15 May 2025Launched the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP)
Where Gachagua stands
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.
- Role of the state in the economy: Leans state-led
- Land, wealth and taxes: Leans low redistribution
- Institutions and power-sharing: Leans executive-centred
- Political style: Leans anti-establishment
- Social values: Socially conservative
- Civil liberties: Leans liberty-first
- 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.
Placed mainly from what Gachagua did, not what Gachagua said. See the full record, with every source.
Common questions
Who is Rigathi Gachagua?
Rigathi Gachagua was Kenya's Deputy President from 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024, the first holder of the office removed that way. Gachagua now leads the DCP and is one of the loudest voices in the United Opposition. Deputy President 2022 to Oct 2024 (impeached). Former Mathira MP. Leader of DCP.
How old is Rigathi Gachagua?
Born on 28 February 1965 in Hiriga village, Nyeri County. Age 61.
What did Rigathi Gachagua study?
BA in Political Science and Literature (1988) at University of Nairobi; Advanced Diploma in Public Administration (2000) at Kenya School of Government.
Which party is Rigathi Gachagua in?
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), part of the United Opposition.
What does Rigathi Gachagua stand 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.
Sources (1)
Facts above come from these sources. Where they disagree, we leave the detail out. Spotted an error? Send it in.