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Riggy G is Trump 2.0…

By mukurima x muriuki



Flawed to the core as a candidate, but with a unique political aura, and ability to create a near cult-like following.
 
Rigathi Gachagua was impeached in October 2024 amid a fallout with President William Ruto. Since then he has been reinventing himself, and while doing so borrowing tactics from three unlikely playbooks: Ruto’s campaign against Uhuru Kenyatta post the 2017 election, Donald Trump’s anti-establishment populism, and being meme-able

History reminds us of how Trotsky once helped build the revolution, until Stalin exiled him with it. In the same vein, Gachagua didn’t just observe president Ruto’s rise: he engineered parts of it. He was there in the trenches with Ruto, whispering strategy, rallying foot soldiers, fine-tuning the very machine that now threatens to roll over him. It’s not just that he understands the playbook; he helped write it, edit it, and weaponize it. That’s what makes this political moment so gripping and so dangerous. Because when the co-author starts flipping pages backward, the whole plot risks unraveling.
 
Gachagua’s reinvention hinges on reshaping voter perceptions, and he is  playing the long game. Once known for his abrasive attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta-and we recall how brutal those attacks were- Gachagua has pivoted to being cool with the former president. This is no accident. As the adage goes, “people forget quickly,” and Gachagua is banking on voters overlooking his past to embrace his new persona.

Gachagua’s tactics also draw from an unexpected source: Donald Trump.  Famous TV personality Bill Maher recently noted:  “Trump’s biggest appeal is that he’s not phony: people crave authenticity.” Gachagua is tapping into this same sentiment. He has positioned himself as an “honest/truthful man” with no filters, just like Trump. 
 
Perhaps Gachagua’s shrewdest move is his embrace of podcasts and long form interviews, a page torn directly from Trump’s 2024 playbook
 
While Democrats criticized Trump for skipping traditional rallies to chat with podcasters, those conversations forged an emotional connection with younger and disillusioned voters. Trump appeared on major shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, which garnered 27 million YouTube views, as well as Impaulsive with Logan Paul, This Past Weekend with Theo Von, and Bussin’ with the Boys with NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, targeting young male and independent voters.
 
These long-form discussions allowed Trump to project authenticity, discussing everything from election denialism to life on Mars, snooting cocaine and so on, resonating with audiences who distrust mainstream media.

Isitoshe,
 
Gachagua is following suit, appearing on popular Kenyan podcasts and every appearance seems to create viral moments. These platforms, often hosted by influencers with massive online followings, allow him to bypass mainstream media’s gatekeepers and speak directly to Kenyans. In one recent episode, he recounted writing poems to his wife Dorcas…. This isn’t just media exposure-it’s a deliberate strategy to humanize Gachagua.

Gachagua’s political savvy extends beyond podcasts into the viral world of memes, where he’s become a cultural phenomenon. His blunt demeanor and colorful phrases-like “truthful man” “Wamunyoro…” or his jabs at Ruto-have spawned countless memes across Kenyan social media, from WhatsApp stickers to TikTok skits. The latest seems to be the “Hi cousins.”

Unlike many politicians who shy away from internet mockery, Gachagua leans into it. Most recently, Gachagua’s team has capitalized on the global 2025 trend of AI-generated kids’ clips-animated videos featuring children’s voices narrating humorous or satirical takes on current events.

Like Ruto before him, Gachagua is proving adept at turning adversity into opportunity. And like Trump, he’s mastering the art of emotional connection in an era of voter skepticism.
 
Rigathi Gachagua is not just playing the game-he’s rewriting the rules. He may not be the people’s choice for 2027 (yet), but he will likely decide who wins or loses

Finally, never underestimate anyone who went to Kianyaga high school.

May the day break

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