Will they finally meet in person? Excitement as Gachagua heads to US where his look-alike lives
By Ascah Mwango, August 25, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is preparing to travel to the United States, and this time his trip comes with an unusual side story that has caught the attention of Kenyans online.
A Kenyan man living in the US has recently gone viral because of his striking resemblance to Gachagua. The man, known online as King Cyrus and also referred to by some Kenyans as Gachagua Mdogo, became an internet sensation after he was filmed at a diaspora event in Seattle, Washington.
Now, with Gachagua expected to arrive in the US on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, questions have naturally started flying around social media: could the two men finally meet?
There is no indication that such a meeting has been officially planned. However, the timing has created an entertaining coincidence, especially because the look-alike is based in the same country where Gachagua is heading for an extended political and diaspora tour.
Gachagua Mdogo
King Cyrus first attracted widespread attention after a video recorded at an outdoor Kenyan diaspora festival in Seattle showed him enjoying himself among other attendees.
In the video, people could be seen stopping to look at him, with some openly pointing out his resemblance to Gachagua. His facial features, smile and dental appearance were among the details that Kenyans online said made the resemblance particularly noticeable.
His clothing added another layer to the joke.
Cyrus was wearing a broad cowboy hat, a plaid shirt and brown trousers, a combination that reminded some viewers of Gachagua’s relaxed dressing during political tours and public appearances. One person in the video could be heard calling him “DP”, while another remarked in Swahili that he looked like Gachagua.
“Guys, ebu angalia huyu jamaa, anafanana na Gachagua bwana, ebu angalia, DCP,” one guy could be heard saying.
The clip quickly spread across Kenyan social media, where users began referring to him as “Gachagua Mdogo” and “Riggy G Junior”.
The attention has not appeared to bother Cyrus. Instead, he has embraced the sudden internet fame and continued sharing glimpses of his life in the US.
His social media posts have also given followers clues about his life in America. Some photographs show him around what appears to be a flower farm, while others show him around vehicles. However, he has not publicly confirmed his occupation, and reports about what exactly he does for a living remain speculative.
Gachagua is heading to America
The look-alike story has gained fresh attention because Gachagua is now preparing for his own trip to the US.
The former Deputy President announced that he would leave Kenya on Wednesday, August 26, accompanied by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
Speaking at PEFA All Nations Church in Karatina on August 23, 2026. Gachagua said he planned to stay in the US for an extended period. He explained that he wanted time away from Kenya to make important decisions without what he described as undue influence.
His trip comes after an intense period of political activity in Kenya.
Gachagua has spent the past several weeks holding consultations with Kenyans and political leaders, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, as he works on his political strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election.