Rigathi Gachagua, the deputy president, has spoken candidly about his difficulties in school.
On Saturday, March 18, 2023, the DP discussed his past struggles during an alumni gathering at Kianyaga Boys High School. He claimed that these struggles helped shape who he is now.
He recalled how his life was made miserable by having jiggers and lice.
The DP claims that despite this, he continued to concentrate on his academic work and pursue his goals.
“We had problems. We came with jiggers, our feet were jigger infested, and we had lice both black and white. We had problems and we struggled and God being gracious, we are here today,” he said.
Gachagua also remembered how, as a result of his “bad boy” behaviors, he frequently found himself on the receiving end.
He claimed that Julius Kano Ndumbi, the headteacher at the time, beat him more than 400 times.
But he praised the principal for helping him become the best version of himself.
“I came with my sons for them to know that in the beginning, I was not a very good person. I was keeping bad company. We were in all sorts of things, and I was losing it. And because this great mentor had seen something in me, he decided to work on me,” he recounted.
Adding:
“And he was extremely vicious and rough, and I found him very unfair. Today, looking back, Mwalimu I want to say thank you. This principal beat me more than 400 times, I can remember. He used to give us what he used to call the best of six; strokes of the cane.”
Rigathi Gachagua speaks on first pair of shoes, underwear
During a reunion with former classmates, the Deputy President recounted wearing his first underwear while in Form 2 in Kianyaga High School.
“It is a very emotional reunion for me, and I would like to thank you for setting aside time to come. I am very excited to see all of you. Now Kianyaga is on the Kenyan map.”
“We owe gratitude to that institution, and I have called you, so we plan to go there and motivate the students. That is how to mentor them and help them see it is possible to succeed.”
Gachagua said he wore his first pair of shoes and underwear after joining the school.
“All of us came from ordinary homes. Some of us wore shoes for the first time in Kianyaga.
My first underwear was bought in Form Two as it was not a priority for my mother. She prioritised paying fees,” he said.
