Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua has opened up about his weight and dressing style for the first time ahead of his inauguration as the nation’s second-in-command.
Gachagua admitted to reporters on Tuesday at his Karen home that he was in “pretty bad shape” and that he had begun working out after presidential campaigns.
He claimed he had no time to exercise in recent years due to the “onslaught” of State agencies against him, as well as the rigorous campaigns he and his boss, President-elect William Ruto, had embarked on in the run-up to the August 9 elections.
“I am in pretty bad shape, I built this home and set up this gym 15 years ago but before this State onslaught I used to come here every morning, but since the onslaught about four years ago I have not been here. I am in pretty bad shape. I have gained a lot of weight and it’s time for me to work out because when you work out your mind gets free and you think straight,” he said.
“We have not been able to work out because we were on the campaign trail… Everybody was against us and we had no choice but to go to the people. We had no luxury to come here and work out.”
Gachagua, who admits to weighing 94 kilograms, told journalists that he intends to lose 10 kilograms in the next three months and refresh his wardrobe, which has been a source of contention in Kenyan online circles.
“Going forward I will be back in this gym. I know many people have been raising questions about how I dress and I want to tell them I had no luxury to think about dressing. I was caring about my life, I was in danger and had to look over my shoulder to make sure that I live to take care of my family,” the DP-elect said.
“In another three months I will be in very good shape and people will love what they see.”
He also slammed online critics who have criticized his dressing style, blaming them on “misguided priorities.”
“I just laugh and don’t say anything… When I see social media people talking about dressing I want to say that would never have been a priority for me. Now that I am alive and good, I can get in good shape and trim well and reduce from 94 kilos to 84,” Gachagua said.
The deputy president-elect is set to take oath of office alongside his boss, Ruto, at Kasarani Stadium today between 10 am and 12 noon as stipulated by the Constitution.
