WASHINGTON, USA — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has finally met the young Kenyan who recently gained attention online for his striking resemblance to him.
Gachagua came face-to-face with the man popularly referred to as “Rigathi Junior” during a meeting in Washington, where the two shared laughs, shook hands and posed for photographs.
The encounter was a lighthearted affair rather than a formal political engagement, with both men appearing amused by their physical resemblance.
Gachagua was dressed in a dark quilted jacket over a patterned shirt, dark trousers and a black brimmed hat with beaded detailing. A red, white, grey and black checkered shuka was draped over his shoulder, while he carried his traditional walking stick.
His young look-alike appeared to embrace the same distinctive outdoor style associated with Gachagua.
“Rigathi Junior” wore a checkered shirt, a blue-and-yellow plain shuka and a wide-brimmed brown cowboy hat.
The two men were photographed laughing as they stood face-to-face before the look-alike extended both hands for a warm handshake.
They later turned towards the camera while maintaining the handshake, producing a photograph that underscored the resemblance that had made the young man a social media talking point.
Gachagua’s wife, Pastor Dorcas, also joined the moment, standing beside the young man and laughing as the two men posed together.
The gathering had a distinctly Kenyan cultural feel, with several people in the background wearing brimmed hats, warm jackets and patterned shukas.
‘Rigathi Junior’ becomes social media sensation
The meeting comes weeks after a video featuring the young Kenyan circulated widely online.
His clothing further amplified the comparison.
In the video, the young man was wearing a cowboy hat similar to those Gachagua has worn during some of his public appearances.
“Look at this man, he looks like Gachagua. He even smiles like him,” a man is heard saying in the video as others marvelled at the resemblance.
The clip prompted playful reactions from social media users, with some joking about the apparent similarity between the two men.
The attention eventually led to the much-anticipated face-to-face meeting in the United States.
Gachagua’s cowboy-hat image
Gachagua has developed a recognisable public image over the years, with cowboy hats becoming one of the accessories associated with his appearance at some public engagements.
His preference for hats, shukas and traditional accessories has often featured prominently in photographs and videos of his public appearances.
For “Rigathi Junior”, adopting a similar look appears to have made the physical resemblance even more striking.
The Washington encounter offered the two men an opportunity to turn what had been an online joke into a real-life meeting.
Rather than focusing on politics, the interaction centred on their resemblance, with photographs capturing the relaxed mood shared by Gachagua, his look-alike and those accompanying them.
Gachagua not first Kenyan politician with a look-alike
Gachagua is not the first Kenyan political figure whose look-alike has attracted public attention.
Michael Ngige, for example, has become known for his resemblance to Kenya’s founding President Jomo Kenyatta.
Ngige has appeared at public events and demonstrations wearing clothing and accessories associated with Kenyatta, including a distinctive cap and white beard.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has also had a look-alike attract attention.
Around 2020, a man from Umoja Estate in Nairobi gained popularity after social media users noticed his resemblance to the former President.
The late President Mwai Kibaki similarly had a look-alike who became known to the public.
Samuel Njau Gicheru, popularly known as Uncle Sam and from Kiambu County, was noted for his physical resemblance to Kibaki.
