Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, impeached last October, has initiated a multifaceted campaign to challenge President William Ruto.
Despite his ineligibility for elective office due to the impeachment, Gachagua aims to reshape the political arena by undermining Ruto's support base and potentially influencing the 2027 presidential election. His strategy centres on securing the Mt. Kenya region, a critical voting bloc that contributed significantly to the Ruto-Gachagua ticket in the 2022 elections.
He plans to instigate mass resignations of Mt. Kenya lawmakers from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and establish a new regional party, aiming to deny Ruto access to this crucial support base. The success of this plan hinges on recruiting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to facilitate by-elections.
Gachagua assures potential defectors of strong support and re-election prospects. In a recent interview with KTN, Gachagua voiced scepticism about Ruto's re-election prospects, suggesting that Ruto needs the support of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to win.
Gachagua has expressed a willingness to collaborate with Odinga and has held meetings with other key political figures, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa. Given his past electoral performance, Gachagua believes that Raila Odinga has a viable path to the presidency with the right support.
Accusing Ruto of prioritizing personal commercial interests over national interests, Gachagua also alleges that Ruto plans to rig the 2027 election through the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome and to influence the judiciary. Despite these claims, Gachagua maintains that he holds no bitterness towards Ruto, though his actions suggest a determined effort to undermine the president's position.