In a candid revelation that challenges the often transactional nature of modern Kenyan dating, Dorcas Gachagua has disclosed that she footed the bill for her first dinner date with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The admission, made during a recent address, offers a rare, humanizing glimpse into the early days of a power couple whose public life has been defined by resilience and political turbulence.

Speaking to a rapt audience, Pastor Dorcas described the incident not as a point of contention, but as the first brick in a partnership built on mutual support rather than financial expectation. The anecdote dates back to the late 1980s at Kenyatta University, where their courtship began amidst student politics and personal struggles.

A Date, A Bill, and A Brown Suit

The story takes us back to June 1987. Rigathi Gachagua, then the assertive Chairman of the Nyeri District Students Union, had visited Kenyatta University to register students for a trip to Kabarnet Gardens. He was clad in his now-famous brown suit—a detail Dorcas has often humorously cited as her first memory of him.

“I paid for our first date,” Dorcas revealed, overturning the traditional script where the man is expected to provide instantly. While she did not disclose the exact amount—likely a modest sum in 1987 shillings compared to today’s inflation-hit currency—the gesture signaled an early commitment to a man she initially tried to avoid.

• The Chase: Dorcas admitted to dodging Rigathi for six months, even changing hostels at the Ruwenzori halls to evade his visits.
• The Turning Point: She was battling suicidal thoughts due to family distress when she met him; he became an unexpected anchor.
• The Outcome: A 35-year marriage that has weathered the highs of the Deputy Presidency and the lows of his 2024 impeachment.

Beyond the "Sponsor" Narrative

This revelation strikes a chord in a Nairobi dating scene often dominated by conversations about "sponsors" and financial leverage. By highlighting that she invested in Rigathi when he was just a student leader with potential—rather than a wealthy politician—Dorcas is subtly critiquing the commercialization of relationships.

Sociologist and relationship analyst Mark Owandho notes, “Stories like this from high-profile figures are crucial. They remind the younger generation, who are grappling with unemployment and the high cost of living, that sustainable unions are often built on shared struggle, not just instant provision.”

Standing by Her Man

The timing of this story is poignant. Following Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024 and his subsequent hospitalization, Dorcas has been his most visible defender. Images of her shielding him from media glare at The Karen Hospital painted a picture of a protective matriarch.

Her willingness to share the humble, and perhaps slightly embarrassing, details of their courtship reinforces her public persona as the "prayerful pillar" of the Gachagua family. It suggests that having paid for that first meal, she has earned the right to stand by him through the much costlier political battles of recent years.

“When you build from the ground up, you don't walk away when the roof leaks,” she seemed to imply. For the Gachaguas, that first paid bill was evidently a down payment on a lifetime of shared debts and credits.