2023 Memorable Moments of DP Rigathi Gachagua

Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, comes off as a straight-talker. He is not one to shy away from controversy, and as the country’s second-in-command, he stands among the few bold politicians who openly shoot from the hip.

Over the last 12 months, DP Gachagua has ruffled feathers in and outside government with his unapologetic declarations.

Below are some of the memorable moments of Rigathi Gachagua that took place this year, leaving netizens surprised.

1. The Inauguration Ceremony
When he was being sworn in as the Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua, when narrating the oath in office, was seen going ahead and not repeating the words that he was being told to say while holding the bible until the session was forced to be put on hold so that he was at bar with the one who was helping him swear the oath in office. This left many Kenyans wondering and questioning why he became deputy; some even asked why he was in such a hurry to be the DP.

2. Rigathi Gachagua’s speech during taking the oath of office
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on Tuesday, September 13, attacked the outgoing administration, thus the Jubilee Government, just moments after he took the oath of office. Gachagua, in his comments, accused the Uhuru Kenyatta administration of leaving behind a nation where the economy was on its deathbed.

“The truth of the matter is that we have inherited a dilapidated economy that is almost facing shutting down. We have a huge task to liberate this country and bring it back to where Kibaki left  it.”Rigathi Gachagua’s statement read:

3. Gachagua Struggles With Muslim Prayer Gestures

At the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on April 11, 2023, the three politicians, despite donning Islamic attire, appeared to struggle and, at some point, were not sure which hand to be on top of the other during the prayers.

In the photos taken at the event, the DP is seen clenching his palms. He was also left standing after everyone was down on their knees, opening his eyes and realizing that they were all on their feet. The hilarious video that was circulating online left the public laughing and talking about why they had to put him in such a tough situation.

4. Gachagua on Kingpin Chatter

Gachagua said on November 5 that he was not interested in being recognized as the kingpin of Mount Kenya amid reports of supremacy battles in the vote-rich region.

Speaking during a church service in Kiambu County, the country’s second-in-command maintained that he was focused on helping President Ruto serve the people and, as such, had no time to engage in what he termed senseless regional politics.

He made the remarks after CS Kuria sparked a debate on the kingpin role after sending out a cryptic post on X after King Charles III concluded his four-day tour in the country.

“Sasa venye King amerudi kwao, fake Kingpins you can take over,” CS Kuria wrote.

However, Gachagua was quick to dismiss the kingpin chatter, terming it as nonsense.

“People want to be trivial. They want to look for issues where there are none. I’m the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya, and I assist the president in running the country. I’ve no time or desire to aspire for any other office because the president has given me a lot of work. My day starts at 5:00 a.m. and ends at midnight. I have no time for that kingpin nonsense; I’m too busy,” he added.

5. Gachagua on saying Kenya has tigers
Gachagua invited Colombian business leaders to visit and invest in Kenya, where they will not only enjoy Kenyans’ hospitality but also have the rare experience of encountering wild animals such as tigers.

“Kenya is a very warm country; we are very welcoming people; we are very hospitable, and we invite Colombian business people to come and invest in Kenya,” said Gachagua.

He went on, “Again, as you come to invest in Kenya, we have many facilities for tourism. We have rare species of wildlife: the elephant, rhino, buffalo, and tiger.”