Gachagua meets ‘Rigathi Junior’ look-alike in Washington

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has met his young look-alike, popularly known as “Rigathi Junior”, in Washington, USA.

The two shared a light moment, laughing, shaking hands and taking photographs together.

Gachagua was dressed in a dark quilted jacket, patterned shirt, dark trousers and a black brimmed hat with beaded details. He also wore a red, white, grey and black checked shuka and carried his walking stick. “Rigathi Junior” wore a checked shirt, a blue-and-yellow plain shuka and a wide-brimmed brown cowboy hat.

They stood facing each other and laughed before the younger man reached out with both hands for a handshake. They then posed for cameras while holding hands. Pastor Dorcas Gachagua was also present and stood beside the look-alike as the two men took photos.

The meeting came weeks after a video of the young man went viral online. The video, which was shared on August 16, showed people commenting on the similarity between his face, smile and teeth and those of Gachagua. “Look at this man, he looks like Gachagua. He even smiles like him,” a man is heard saying in the video as others marvel at the resemblance.

The young man’s cowboy hat also made the comparison stronger because Gachagua is known for wearing similar hats during some public events.

Gachagua is among Kenyan political figures whose look-alikes have attracted public attention. Michael Ngige is known for looking like founding President Jomo Kenyatta and has appeared at events wearing a cap and white beard associated with him.

A man from Umoja estate in Nairobi also attracted attention around 2020 because of his resemblance to former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The late President Mwai Kibaki also had a known look-alike, Samuel Njau Gicheru, also called Uncle Sam, from Kiambu County.

Political look-alikes often attract crowds at rallies, demonstrations and social gatherings, where people take photos and videos with them.