- A doctored photo made rounds on social media of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua standing beside former president the late Daniel Moi
- Those who shared it claimed that Rigathi was one of the sons of Moi; also among those seen in the photo is Baringo senator Gideon Moi
- However, it has been established that Rigathi has not tied with the Moi family despite having served at one point as an administrator during the former president’s tenure
Fallacies have been peddled about Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua since he was unveiled as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) deputy president nominee.
The first-term lawmaker will be running alongside Deputy President William Ruto in the August 9 presidential election.
Bloggers allied with Kenya Kwanza’s rival factions alleged that Rigathi is a son of Kenya’s second president the late Daniel Moi.
Doctored photo
At the centre of the propaganda was an old black and white photo that those who shared claimed it bore the Mathira and the former president alongside others.
At some point, Rigathi served as an administrator in Moi’s tenure, which lasted for 24 years and lapsed in 2002.
Seen in the photo is Moi and his wife Lena Bomett Moi, surrounded by their seven children, the Africacheck.org established.
The face of a small boy second from left is circled, with “Rigathi Gachagua” written beneath.
It has now been established that the photo was doctored and circulated to drive a certain narrative amidst the current high octane politics.
According to Africa Check, an original caption below the photo. It reads: “Moi’s Family (1966) (from right to left) – Jonathan Kipkemboi, Jennifer Chemutai, John Mark, Doris Chepkorir, Gideon Kipsielei, Rigathi Kiprono, and Raymond Kipruto.”
There’s no mention of Rigathi Gachagua. The boy whose face is circled looks nothing like Gachagua.
A reverse image search reveals that the photo on Facebook is, for some reason, a flipped version of the original.
Local media report that Gachagua’s parents are Martha Kirigo and Nahashon Gachagua Reriani.
Gachagua was born in central Kenya’s Nyeri county and is Kikuyu. Moi was Kalenjin and was born and lived in the western county of Baringo.
Ruto: Why I chose Rigathi
Ruto stated that Rigathi’s spirituality and hard work gave him an edge over others in choosing a running mate.
During the funeral service of Rigathi’s brother on Tuesday, May 17, in Mathira, Ruto stated that two factors informed Kenya Kwanza’s decision before settling on Rigathi.
Ruto said Rigathi was very hardworking and was concerned about the welfare of Kenyans all the time.
He said all their discussions have been about improving the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
“As a team in Kenya Kwanza two main things that made us all agree that Rigathi Gachagua would be my running mate. One is that he is a hard-working individual and he’s concerned about his fellow Kenyans. Every time I’ve had a conversation with Gachagua has been about the people. If we are not discussing GMR, we are discussing how to improve the lives of ordinary business people,” said the DP.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
