NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made his clearest indication yet that he intends to seek Kenya’s presidency, declaring that he has the political numbers to mount a formidable challenge against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News, Gachagua said he would seek to persuade fellow opposition leaders that he is the strongest candidate to lead a united coalition against the incumbent.
“I have the capacity to mobilise numbers to be president. I have every intention to convince my colleagues that I’m the most suited to carry the flag.”
The remarks mark Gachagua’s most explicit expression of presidential ambition since falling out with President Ruto and emerging as one of the government’s fiercest critics.
‘One Candidate to Send Ruto Home’
Gachagua insisted that the opposition must avoid multiple presidential candidates, arguing that unity is the only path to victory.
“For this country to stand, William Ruto must go. For him to go easily, we must have one presidential candidate,” he said.
Coalition Talks Expand Beyond Mt Kenya
Gachagua revealed that ongoing consultations at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri are aimed at forming a broad anti-Ruto alliance had grown beyond the Mt Kenya region, forcing him to extend the timeline for negotiations.
“I had thought I would take 45 days, but the conversation has become very big. It has gone beyond the mountain,” the DCP leader said.
“From the way it is looking, I will have to add another 10 or 12 days.”
His comments suggest talks are underway with political leaders from other regions as opposition figures seek to build a national coalition capable of challenging President Ruto.
‘Ruto Wants to Divide the Mountain’
The former deputy president also accused President Ruto of attempting to fracture the politically influential Mt Kenya voting bloc.
Referring to recent remarks by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Gachagua claimed they reflected a broader strategy directed from State House.
“That is not Ruku speaking. That is a William Ruto scheme. William Ruto is scared of a united mountain,” he said.
Ruku has been calling for a split of the Mt Kenya region into two; Mt Kenya East and West.
Using one of his trademark analogies, Gachagua dismissed any suggestion that the region could be politically divided.
“His scheme is to divide the mountain, but it is a waste of time. Dividing the mountain is like cutting the mugumo tree with a razor. It cannot happen and cannot work,” he said.
Renews Attack on Murkomen
Gachagua also launched a fresh attack on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, blaming him for what he described as increasing police lawlessness.
“The challenge of Kenya is not goons; it is the rogue police officers under Murkomen,” he said.
“The way to stop lawlessness is to sack Murkomen because he is the cause.”
He further alleged, without providing evidence, that a new police squad had been assembled and taken to Moyale for training.
“I am told, as we speak, Murkomen has picked a new squad. It has been taken to a training base in Moyale,” he said.
He claimed the alleged unit could be deployed during future elections, referencing the violence witnessed during the Ol Kalou by-election.
“We have not seen the last of what we saw in Ol Kalou. If Kipchumba Murkomen will be the Interior CS as we go into the General Election, there will be civil war in this country,” the former Deputy President said.