For 18 months after his impeachment as Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua has been on overdrive in rallying the vote-rich Mt Kenya against President William Ruto over alleged betrayal, while positioning himself as the region’s political spokesperson.
In the grand plan to take charge of the region’s politics going into the 2027 polls, Mr Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024, formed his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) as his vehicle to consolidate support.
DCP has since become one of the major political forces, attracting defectors from both the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of President Ruto and Jubilee Party of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Initially, Mr Gachagua appeared uninterested in running for the presidency, partly because of the debate over his eligibility to contest as a result of the impeachment, with indications that he was favouring Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to be the United Opposition candidate.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua during the reception of former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga into the party at the party headquarters in Nairobi on March 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Despite this posture, he continued to project himself as the central political player within the opposition camp through major rallies and media interviews.
Now with his growing political influence, a case to challenge his impeachment with the option of appeal if he loses at the High Court, and a projected millions of votes linked to his Mt Kenya base, talk of Mr Gachagua running for the presidency seems to be gaining momentum. And he’s getting convinced by the day to go for it.
“Last evening (Friday), I held a consultative meeting with Kenyans living and working in the UK. We discussed the role of the diaspora community in nation building,” he said on Saturday before adding, “I tabled my vision for Kenya and what my administration would prioritise.”
The emphasis being on ‘my administration’. He’s expected back in the country soon after his shortened tour of the United Kingdom.
Mr Gachagua himself has said this week in an interview in London that he would run for president since he provides the best prospect for the united opposition to beat President William Ruto in 2027. While some political players have been shocked by this direct declaration, others view his pronouncement in the context of normal political posturing before the opposition can settle on a joint flag bearer to face off with Dr Ruto.
“I have a substantial support following, but I have to top it up. For me to do so, I need a serious running mate, with serious numbers. I have several options in mind, other than being someone I can work with comfortably, the number of votes he or she will bring in is also a factor,” the former DP said in a media interview on Thursday.
During the UK trip, Mr Gachagua disclosed that he was already scouting for a running mate who could help him mobilise numbers to help him sweep to power. He disclosed that he already has several options to pick from, citing compatibility and numbers as his major considerations.
The recent pronouncements by his key allies that Mr Gachagua stands a better chance to beat Dr Ruto on the strength of Mt Kenya vote basket have also triggered a political storm within the opposition.
With the perceived numbers, he and his allies are starting to wonder whether there's any point in becoming a kingmaker when they could be the king.
To critics, Mr Gachagua is seen as a polarising figure due to his type of politics that is centred around his ethnic community.
Analysts observe that his decision to run could complicate the opposition’s strategy and could lead to a repeat of the 1992 presidential election, when then-President Daniel Moi secured another term as a result of a disjointed opposition that ended up fielding multiple candidates. The curse they all vow they’re keen to avoid.
President William Ruto.
Photo credit: File
But even with the promises, there are still fears that their competing interests could see them split. There are also fears that the State could sponsor multiple candidates so as to boost President Ruto’s re-election chances.
But Mr Gachagua’s allies consider him the best bet since he brings to the table close to seven million votes from the region, while the other candidates can barely bring two million votes from their bases.
They have also openly accused Mr Musyoka, Jubilee Party deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa and Martha Karua of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) of not pulling their weight enough to mobilise against President Ruto.
“Everyone has to look for their votes so that when we meet to negotiate, we start from somewhere. If we say it is Gachagua, we know we are starting at 7 million votes, and if they say it is Kalonzo we are starting maybe at 2 million, and if it is Matiangi we are starting at about 1 million,” Embakasi Central Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejja Donk told the Nation.
“We can’t have people staying at home, when Gachagua is doing the donkey work then we are told he should not run. Why should he not run? The ones panicking don’t want to campaign, but are waiting for Gachagua to mobilise support for them,” he added.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Major Donk attending a church service at PCEA Mwiki church in Kasarani on April 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
In a strong criticism of Mr Gachagua’s co-principals, the MP said some of the United Opposition politicians cannot hold a rally in the absence of the former deputy president.
“The others have been having town hall meetings, which do not help much. We as DCP must push for our leader to be the presidential candidate (in 2027). Those pushing the narrative that there would be a split are scared of Gachagua, because they know we are ahead in terms of numbers,” said Mejja Donk.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu, while speaking during Gachagua's tour in the United Kingdom, described the former Deputy President as the “engine of the opposition”. He said it beats logic for someone with more votes to back another with significantly fewer votes.
“If Gachagua is with you in the UK, things will be very quiet; that is why we have to release him in at least one week. The rest of us will be waiting for Gachagua in Nairobi to come help the opposition pressure the government,” Mr Methu said in the presence of Mr Gachagua.
His remarks portrayed the other United Opposition leaders as lazy and unable to mobilise for support.
On who commands a large support base, Senator Methu said none of the opposition leaders can marshal as many votes as Mr Gachagua. He said the one with many votes should be the automatic candidate for the opposition.
“A person who has five million votes cannot deputise someone with three million votes. You all know that he was impeached unfairly and that the case is bound to fail even in the court of public opinion,” said the senator.
Jubilee deputy party leader Jeremiah Kioni appeared to support Mr Gachagua, saying he has worked for the support he currently enjoys, especially in Mt Kenya region. He, however, insisted on conducting scientific popularity ratings in picking a presidential candidate.
“When you work for something in politics you have to benefit. But he would need to work with the other opposition leaders so that we are not disjointed. DCP has a right to have a candidate,” said Mr Kioni.
He added: “Politics is all about effort. I will be ready to back whoever is picked. Everyone has to put their bargaining powers on the table. If you have numbers, you put it on the table. For Gachagua, his people are putting Mt Kenya numbers. Someone else can also tell us about their strength.”
But Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo downplayed the development as normal political posturing within the opposition. He said the camp will ultimately pick a joint candidate to face Dr Ruto.
“We want him cleared so that they can discuss as equal partners. It does not affect Kalonzo’s chances because the plan is to negotiate and have one candidate to face President Ruto,” said Mr Maanzo.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses journalists at SKM Centre in Nairobi on April 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Medoa Group
Prof David Monda – a US-based university lecturer and political analyst – said the development complicates the opposition formula for removing Ruto from power.
“If Gachagua is at the head of a presidential ticket, it plays right into Ruto’s hands as it intensifies the ethnicisation of the voting matrix in Kenya. Gachagua is most lethal as a kingmaker rather than the king,” said Prof Monda.
Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-K) executive director Frankline Mukwanja observed that Mr Gachagua’s candidature could inadvertently hand Dr Ruto a second term by dividing the opposition. He said Mr Gachagua’s candidature may succeed in consolidating Mt Kenya against Dr Ruto, but lead to its isolation in the 2027 matrix.
“Gachagua’s declaration could also force key actors like former President Uhuru Kenyatta to choose sides. Given past tensions and competing interests between Uhuru and Gachagua, it is not inconceivable that Uhuru may view Ruto as the more predictable political option,” said Mr Mukwanja.
He said the question right now is not whether Mr Gachagua can run, but whether the opposition can prevent a repeat of the 1992 polls.
Legally, Mr Gachagua and his handlers say nothing stops him from running. They say the impeachment case is before the courts, and even if the ruling didn’t come in their favour, they have two or so appeal chances. And that, as long as the matter is alive in court, nothing bars him from running for president.
