Gachagua, Wife Dorcas Rigathi, Speak After Kindiki Swearing-In

Gachagua on Friday, November 1 expressed pleasure to be back at his home.

Gachagua, Wife Dorcas Rigathi, Speak After Kindiki Swearing-In
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Pastor Dorcas Rigathi with their children at their home on November 1, 2024. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi have issued statements after the swearing-in of Professor Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President.

The two accompanied their statements with a photo of themselves at their home in Mathira, Nyeri County with their sons. Gachagua on Friday, November 1 expressed pleasure to be back at his native home.

The family was beautifully captured sitting atop well-nurtured green grass amidst the warmth of sunshine moments after the swearing-in of Kindiki as his replacement.

Here are their full statements:

Rigathi Gachagua

Home Sweet Home!

Thanking God for the gift of my family. The smell of fresh grass, the sounds of chirping birds are what a happy family needs. I will remain forever grateful to God, for giving me a loving and supportive family. We are happy to be home, where I was born and brought up!

Rigathi Gachagua taking oath of office as Deputy President on September 13, 2022, vs Kithure Kindiki taking oath of office as Deputy President on November 1, 2024. /PCS.VIRAL TEA KE ARCHIVES

I can’t wait for the morning to take my walk in Hombe Forest and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt Kenya as I  thank God for His kindness.

God Bless Kenya.

Dorcas Rigathi

We Give God all the glory 

It is easy to look at the challenges and circumstances surrounding you and forget the cardinal rule of a believer. Today, my family and I choose to give a prayer of thanksgiving, understanding that, God remains sovereign, whether He saves us from fire or not, Daniel 3:16-18. We give thanks to God for His awesome faithfulness. We call Him, Ebenezer, for this far we celebrate Him. We have seen His mercy and experienced His goodness. Glory and honour be to His Holy name.

Like Job 13:15-16 

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; 

I will surely defend my ways to his face. 

Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, 

for no godless person would dare come before him!

We appreciate your love and prayers. May God bless you all.

The sentiments by the former DP and former Second Lady followed hours after the swearing-in of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president, replacing Gachagua who was impeached by the Senate on October 17. 

Kindiki was sworn in as the DP at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in a ceremony attended by high-profile delegates including President William Ruto, members of the cabinet and politicians, including MP Mwengi Mutuse, responsible for sponsoring the impeachment motion against Gachagua.

During his last weekend as Deputy President (officially), Gachagua appealed to Kenyans to keep President Ruto in their prayers as his administration tackles the challenges affecting the general public. He made his first public appearance on Sunday, October 27 at a church service at Saint James ACK Cathedral in Kiambu County following his ouster by the National Assembly and the Senate and his hospital admission.

The former DP who blamed his woes on his nature of always speaking the truth did not waste the opportunity to delve into some of the pressing concerns of the citizenry, particularly over-taxation, economic adversities and challenges in the health system.

While praying for God’s wisdom for President Ruto, Gachagaua took a dig at the current government citing over-taxation and economic adversities. The current chaos and confusion in the health sector following the transition from NHIF to SHIF also made it to the former Deputy President’s speech, with Gachagua noting that the failing health system is among the challenges that need wisdom to resolve.

“We want to ask the people of Kenya to remain peaceful and pray for our President William Ruto to give him the wisdom to navigate the challenges affecting the Kenyan people.

“Our people are feeling helpless because of economic adversities, because of over-taxation and because of failing health systems and the President has a big job to do. We want to ask for prayers for him for God to give him wisdom so that the people of Kenya can get some relief as they go about their businesses.” Gachagua stated.

Additionally, he fired a subliminal at President Ruto, warning him that the Mt Kenya region will not forget how the impeachment against him was plotted.

 "We forgive but we don't forget. I've heard people saying that 3 years is a lot of time and that by 2027, people will have forgotten. Even the atrocities meted on us by the white man, the pain we suffered under President Moi, we still remember. When the time is right, we will address the issue at hand. But at the moment, we will keep quiet," he stated.

Collage of President William Ruto (right) and his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. /PCS.DPPS