Kisii University student nails 'Riggy G' character, blows up online

Zachariah Kariuki, a 22-year-old Kisii University student, has become an instant hit online with his spot-on imitation of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The third year student who is pursuing Computer Engineering, began uploading his 'Riggy G' skits on TikTok a week ago before they blew up online and amassed thousands of views and likes.

Going by the comic moniker 'Mr. KK Mwenyewe', the Riggy G impersonator has been dressing up in shabby attires, a fake belly, rugged tie and baggy trousers to mimic Rigathi Gachagua's infamous sense of fashion.

His near-perfect grasp of Gachagua's thick accent has impressed thousands, as he hilariously spits out words just as the Deputy President would.

His pronunciations of the words 'Rigathi Gachagua', 'Mwai Kibaki', 'Kenya', Man', 'Demorolized' and 'Criminal' would easily fool you into believing you're listening to the actual DP.

On Tiktok, Zachariah now boasts of over 77,000 followers and a staggering 640, 000 Likes.

One of his Riggy G skits even caught the attention of former Azimio la Umoja One Kenya running mate Martha Karua who lauded the female character in a quoted tweet.

Zachariah's pitch-perfect imitation of Gachagua's accent, mannerisms, nuances and facial expressions has won him a legion of fans both online and offline.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, the rising content creator, who also creates other forms of comedy, said that he seized on the opportunity to play the DP after being urged on by his buddies and fellow comedians.

"It came super easily for me. My friends advised me to take up the Gachagua challenge and I pulled it off. I then decided to keep it up since everyone seems to be enjoying them so much," he said.

In the same interview, the lanky comic goes further in the act, playing the part of the DP, discussing his worth, praising his wife, talking prayerfulness and looking into a prosperous future.