Gachagua’s Wife Defends Him Over Recent Controversial Remarks

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua (right) and his wife Dorcas Rigathi in Karen on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua (right) and his wife Dorcas Rigathi in Karen on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Daily Nation

Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has defended her husband, Rigathi Gachua, from public criticism arguing that the presidential running mate has always been misunderstood. 

Speaking to Nation on Saturday, July 23, Dorcas claimed that Gachagua's statements are often twisted to tarnish his reputation.

The negativity, she stated, has blinded Kenyans from getting to know the husband who she described as a caring and good politician.

"I think that there are a lot of negative vibes. My husband is a very serious politician who studied political science. In terms of language, he is good.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua speaking during Kenya Kwanza Alliance Manifesto launch on Thursday June 30, 2022
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua speaking during the Kenya Kwanza Alliance Manifesto launch on Thursday, June 30, 2022
Gachagua's Twitter

"Whatever is happening may affect us in some way because you do not want to wake up every day to negative news on social media. I realised that the media thrives in negative stories," she stated.

The pastor added that Gachagua had the best interest of Kenyans at heart and was always on the front line defending them against mistreatment by the government.

"He loves people, work and he went into politics to change lives. I think his advocacy is like no other. I vouch for my husband."

Further, she indicated that the Mathira lawmaker was the best-suited running mate for Deputy President William Ruto.

"Apart from the negative publicity, when you go to the ground, you find that he is very solid as he is well connected with the people."

Gachagua has been on the receiving end over remarks made while on the campaign trail.

His sentiments have also seen him fall out with some Kenya Kwanza allies who have accused him of being too aggressive and inconsiderate.

Some of the remarks that stirred controversy were abolishing police uniforms and cooking rice with beef for Nyeri residents whenever DP Ruto tours the county. 

Rigathi Gachagua's wife Dorcas during her graduation in 2021.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi during her graduation party in 2021.
File

On Saturday, July 23, he criticised chiefs who were campaigning for Ruto's rival, Azimio La Umoja's presidential candidate - Raila Odinga. 

"Chiefs should not be used to tell Kenyans who to vote for in elections. Wewe chief, kama unataka kuambia mtu pahali atapiga kura, kwenda ambia bibi yako. Chief kazi yako ni kutengeneza mambo ya mpaka, kuandika barua ya kitambulisho na kama bibi ya mtu ametoroka, mtafutie huyo bibi umrudishie.

(You can only direct your wife. As a chief, your work entails settling land boundary disputes, stamping letters for Kenyans who have lost their identity cards and ensuring that a man whose wife fled the matrimonial home is reunited with the spouse," Gachagua criticised.