Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has faced the ire of Kenyans after joining the thousands of heartbroken fans and leaders who shared their tributes to fallen comedian KK Mwenyewe, a young man who shot to fame by comically imitating the then-deputy president.
Like many others who expressed their shock and sympathy at the comedian’s sudden demise, Gachagua took to X to pen a little message of condolences to KK’s family, terming his death as ‘sad’ and also condoling with the creative industry for the loss of a ‘champion’.
In his carefully-worded tweet, the former DP showered the late comedian with a generous dose of positive adjectives, noting his consistency and resilience while also terming him an ‘inspiration’ to many.
He wrote: “I have this morning woken up to the sad demise of Mr. Zachariah Kariuki alias Mr. KK Mwenyewe, a content creator per excellence and inspiration to many.”
“Mr. KK, a young, consistent, and resilient young man, used comedy to communicate simple and creative messages to all Kenyans and spoke to our hearts.”
He added, “I send my deepest sympathies to his family and his friends at this difficult moment.
“I especially condole the creative industry on the loss of a champion whose creative eye lives with us for days to come.”
Not long after the tweet was shared, Kenyans flooded the comment section with their own perspectives on the tribute with many expressing their dismay at Gachagua’s eventual recognition of a man who repeatedly begged the former second-in-command for an opportunity to meet up – or even a job.
The fiasco stems from the fact that KK Mwenyewe, real name Zachariah Kariuki, shot to fame immediately after the 2022 elections after using his comedic skills and sharp witticism to mimic Gachagua’s political mannerisms, speech, public traits and quirky dressing.
As Gachagua had himself become something of a media spectacle due to his unconventional political style and aura, KK quickly blew up, with many enthralled by his spot-on imitation of the new DP, down to the speech and hand gestures.
Around the same time, yet another young Kenyan with a Gachagua connection emerged: Ivy Chelimo, a popular X personality, had started getting the attention of the deputy president after she coined him the fancy nickname, ‘Riggy G’.
So enamoured was Gachagua with the flattering moniker that he immediately reached out to Chelimo, transforming her into a national sensation – and a media darling – and even offering her a plum job at his powerful office.
While all this was happening, KK Mwenyewe kept up with his Gachagua mimicry, winning new fans daily as he hopped from media house to media house, as the self-styled Gachagua mascot.
“Has the deputy president reached out to you? Have you met him?” many media hosts would ask.
The answer was always ‘NO’ – followed up with an impassioned plea to the then-DP for a meeting, or even a job too.
It never happened.
Until his death, on July 14, Rigathi Gachagua entirely avoided anything to do with KK Mwenyewe – He never publicly acknowledged him, never praised his work, never commented on the viral impersonations and never met him, even for a handshake and a fleeting photo-op.
Kenyans were, therefore, understandably shocked – even enraged – after seeing him suddenly recognise a man he spent two years ignoring, and a man whose talents, which were squarely based on him, he flatly failed to celebrate.
Michael Kariuki wrote, “You employed a lady who coined your Riggy G name and left this guy who was imitating you to wallow in poverty. He built his brand brick by brick from bottom till he became an internet sensation. You are now crying louder than the family after his death. Shut up. He doesn’t need you now. ”
Someone else wrote, “Oh, so now he was creative and inspirational? Where were these words when he was alive? I’m sure he would have loved to hear his idol say that. Anyways, “People have so many good things to say about you but you have to die first””.
On his part, Ben Mwanza said, “Your wife Dorcas presented herself as the champion of the boychild. Why then did you ignore this boychild? He may have been alive right now had you taken him under your arms and made his life better!”
Someone else, clearly miffed, wrote, “Shame on you! You cannot purpot to mourn someone you never loved. Stick to your Wantam shenanigans. You’re just like every one of these politicians!”
At the height of their popularity, veteran Kenyan comedians, including the Reddykyulas Crew, got an opportunity to meet and perform for the likes of President Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki after spending years impersonating the two presidents.
“It’s too late to give him your flowers now,” Diana Mboi wrote. “He would have appreciated those sweet words in real life, not from the grave.”
