By the WiLeadership Team
Seeing a woman, unknown to many, rise and occupy the second highest office in the country, Kenya, had many people ask many questions about her background, education, career, and life. This woman is Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, wife to the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
We researched her life and share with our readers this short but captivating story about her life in classrooms and lecture halls, interacting with teachers, doctors, and professors to shape her life and future.
Her first school was MUGUMOINI PRIMARY SCHOOL in Thika, Kiambu County. Unknown to many, Pastor Dorcas was raised by a widow, together with her siblings, after the demise of their father. Following a difficult life, physically and economically, their feet and legs were infested with jiggers, a painful parasite that causes blisters, bleeding, sores, and pain. Despite all this discomfort, they walked to Mugumoini Primary School in search of education and a better life. Well-wishers helped them go through school.
Later, Pastor Dorcas joined the ALLIANCE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL in Kikuyu, Kiambu County. This is among the best national schools in the country, and it demands exemplary performance for one to join the school. Unfortunately, her mother did not have the needed finances to pay for the school fees and purchase other requirements for admission. However, the mother (Virginia Wanjiku) was a prayerful woman, and she sat outside with a stool and a bible on the date of admission, beseeching the Lord for provision. The mother had assured the children that by noon, God would have answered her prayer. And He (God) did. By the grace of God, she also pursued her A-levels at St. Francis Mangu, Thika.
For her university studies, Pastor Dorcas was admitted to Kenyatta University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. It was at the university that she almost committed suicide. She received her university HELB loan from the government and lived a frugal lifestyle so she could support her mother. She bought a gas cylinder for the mother to facilitate cleaner and faster cooking. Unfortunately, the cylinder exploded, causing a fire that burned the house and some neighbours. The incident caused Pastor Dorcas untold trauma, resulting in thoughts of suicide.
Luckily, she did not kill herself and is now serving the nation as the Spouse of the Deputy President. She is passionate about the less fortunate, and the vision of her office is ‘A Dignified Future for Vulnerable Populations’, which include the boy child, widows, orphans and PWDs.
