Rigathi Gachagua

Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua (born 28 February 1965) is a Kenyan politician who served as the 2nd deputy president of Kenya (office established under the 2010 Constitution). He served from 13th September 2022 until his impeachment in October 2024. As a member of the Jubilee Party, Gachagua served as Member of Parliament for Mathira from 2017 to 2022. He is also the Party leader of DCP Kenya.

He had previously served in various roles and positions in government, including as an Assistant secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage, a personal assistant to the Head of the Public Service, a personal assistant to the then Minister for Local Government Uhuru Kenyatta, and as a District Officer (DO). In the 2022 election, William Ruto selected Gachagua as his running mate, and the two were elected with just over 50% of the vote.

On 8 October 2024, Gachagua was impeached by the National Assembly on 11 separate charges. He filed legal challenges against the impeachment, but they were rejected by the High Court. On 17 October 2024, The Senate upheld five of the 11 charges, related to the allegations of inflaming ethnic tensions through divisive speeches, promoting ethnic discrimination, violating oath of office, and attacking the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in public. As a result, the verdict of the Senate confirmed the impeachment and he ceased to hold office. Immediately after his removal by the Senate, President William Ruto nominated Kithure Kindiki to replace him. The swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki was however temporarily halted by the High Court via a conservatory order on 18 October 2024. An application to discharge the orders was made to the High Court. After heated court sessions, the conservatory orders were discharged, clearing the way for the swearing in of Deputy President nominee Kithure Kindiki.