Kenya’s Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua was a scandal-tainted political novice when he rode an anti-establishment wave to become deputy president — only to be kicked out of office after just two years.
“Riggy G”, as he is often known, suffered the ultimate political ignominy on Thursday when he was sacked following historic impeachment votes in both houses of parliament.
The 59-year-old multi-millionaire had vociferously denied the allegations against him as “outrageous” and “propaganda” and vowed to fight to the end.
But in a last-minute drama on Thursday he failed to turn up to present his defence after being rushed to hospital in a Nairobi suburb with severe chest pains.
Gachagua’s support in the crucial Mount Kenya region helped President William Ruto secure victory in a hard-fought August 2022 election.
But he saw his popular touch eroded by a battered economy and spiralling cost of living, and in the last few months his alliance with Ruto went through a very public breakdown.
A blunt leader with a gift of the gab, Gachagua was found guilty in the impeachment motion on five counts of “gross violation” of the constitution including practising ethnically divisive politics and threatening judges.
But he was cleared of six charges, including corruption and money laundering.
Analysts say his real crime may have been his unbridled ambition and refusal to fall in line behind his boss.
Political connections
Born on February 28, 1965, in a village in the vote-rich Mount Kenya region, his parents fought in the Mau Mau rebellion against British colonial rule.
He studied political science and literature at the University of Nairobi before doing paramilitary training and becoming a district officer in charge of internal security.
District officers wielded massive power under the repressive regime of President Daniel arap Moi, and he used the position to build business and political connections.
He first ran for office in his tea and coffee-rich hometown of Mathira in 2017, joining forces with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Ruto.
The Kenyatta-Ruto alliance fell apart ahead of the next election in 2022. Gachagua sided with Ruto and paid the price — he was arrested multiple times on corruption charges which he said were politically motivated attacks by Kenyatta.
In one infamous moment in July 2021, he said police raided his home and stripped him near-naked in front of his children.
But Ruto and Gachagua had the last laugh, joining forces to win the hard-fought election, presenting themselves as anti-establishment figures against the dynasties that had long-dominated Kenyan politics.
It was a particularly surprising leap for Gachagua who had a limited national profile before the campaign.
He managed to rally many within his Kikuyu tribe in Mount Kenya, presenting a new figurehead for a region long-dominated by the Kenyatta family.
‘I am a truthful man’
That local popularity had lately backfired, with Gachagua accused by critics of playing too heavily on outdated tribal loyalties.
The stain of corruption has also been hard to shake.
He was charged in 2021 with acquiring unexplained wealth totalling more than 7.3 billion Kenyan shillings ($57 million).
That case was dropped when he and Ruto took office, but lawmakers accused him of amassing 5.2 billion shillings ($40 million) during his two years as deputy president, despite an official salary of $93,000.
He says his wealth comes from his family’s business dealings in real estate, hospitality and construction.
“All the problems that I am going through is because I am a truthful man,” he said last month, claiming he is disliked for his blunt style.