This man ‘Riggy G’: An in-depth analysis of DP Rigathi Gachagua's political style

Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua was the surprise running mate pick by Dr. William Ruto in the 2022 presidential campaign, propelling a hitherto relatively unknown politician to the national stage.

The decision was, at the time, reported to have been contrary to the wishes and expectations of many, especially Dr. Ruto's close allies.

With Ruto’s win, Gachagua automatically assumed office as the second most powerful individual in the country. He had only served one term as a Member of Parliament.

One year after the oath, opinion is divided on his service as the second-in-command, with many political pundits agreeing that he has formed a deliberate or sub-conscious pattern of making friends and unnecessary enemies.

His stuttering as he was sworn into office as the second Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya under the 2010 Constitution and his first speech shortly after, marked the entry of Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua’s journey into national politics.

In his first Executive Order of 2023, President Ruto in organizing his government, mandated his deputy to spearhead the process of streamlining the agricultural sector, and act as the bridge between the national and county governments among other duties assigned to him by the constitution.

Gachagua also took up leadership of the fight against illicit brews and drug abuse within the Mt. Kenya region and countrywide, with his wife Wanjiku Rigathi strongly championing the same cause. However, opinion is divided on the success of the campaign and its sustainability.

To streamline the agricultural sector, Gachagua focused his energy on coffee, tea and milk where he maintained that cartels had pitched camp for long.

He promised to actualize real reforms to liberate farmers in a record three months. A year later, only a few changes in the coffee sector have been realised and to the disappointment of farmers, goalposts have been shifted with the Deputy President now saying it would take a year and a half for farmers to benefit from the changes.

As the bridge between county and national governments, Gachagua has taken up the role of a lead reconciliatory, especially in warring UDA dominated counties.

His efforts, though seemingly well intentioned, have run into headwinds, with the wrangles in Kericho, Kiambu and Meru illustrating all too well the difficulty of the task.

It is Gachagua's utterances that have quickly drawn attention to his style and brand of politics. Despite labelling himself a truthful man, questions on political awareness and the subtleties of holding high national office have cropped up time and again.

The Deputy President has on numerous occasions, rubbed opponents and sections of the public the wrong way.

Political analyst Selasio Thuranira says the deputy president has been battling for legitimacy in national and regional politics.

His supporters insist he is a victim of people who are still in denial of the fact that a one-time MP disrupted the status quo.

“Wale watu ambao anafaa kuogopa zaidi, mmoja ni Ndindi Nyoro. Hata ukiangalia vile rais Ruto anamzungusha ni kama anamtaryarisha kuwa kitu 2027. Wa pili, ni profesa Kithure Kindiki. Yale mashindano yao ya 2022, hayakumalizika, yalisitishwa tu kwa muda,” says Thuranira.

The National Dialogue Committee led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka might well serve as Gachagua’s first political litmus test. He has been on record trashing the national dialogue and the committee.

The formation of the office of leader of opposition and firming up of Prime Cabinet Secretary posts are some of the issues opponents say will give the deputy president a headache.

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, an opposition leader in the Azimio coalition, asserts that the DP fears that these developments would shake his relevance.

One of the biggest challenges Gachagua faces is the unification of the GEMA political block, and ultimately becoming the foremost leader in a region that has always had figureheads but lacks any clear kingpin after the rejection of former President Uhuru Kenyatta who had seemingly succeeded former President Mwai Kibaki.

By virtue of being the highest ranked politician at the moment, he is one step ahead in the attempt to achieve this.

But analysts say his style of politics is likely to create more divisions in an already polarized GEMA nation that traditionally carries heavy political clout by virtue of sheer numbers.