Rigathi Gachagua Declares 2027 Presidential Ambitions in Fiery U.S. Tour Speech
NAIROBI, Kenya — Rigathi Gachagua is officially gunning for the presidency—and he wants everyone, including President William Ruto, to know it.
Speaking to a lively diaspora crowd in Boston, Massachusetts, the former Deputy President boldly declared himself the “frontrunner” to lead the opposition into the 2027 general election.
Gachagua told attendees at the launch of the Democratic Change Party’s (DCP) satellite offices that he believes he has both the grassroots support and political muscle to unseat President Ruto after just one term.
“I am the frontrunner, and I think I have the best chance to be president,” Gachagua said, drawing loud cheers from the audience gathered at the Well of Worship Hall.
That wasn’t just campaign flair. Gachagua, now on a month-long U.S. tour, is using the opportunity to solidify support from the Mt. Kenya diaspora while doubling down on his break from Ruto—his former ally turned political rival.
The former second-in-command left the Kenya Kwanza government earlier this year, following months of reported disagreements and power struggles.
Despite swirling speculation about coalition deals and backroom negotiations, Gachagua insists that the opposition hasn’t chosen a joint presidential candidate yet.
“We have not settled on anybody,” he said. “There’s only one thing that has been agreed on—and it’s Wantam,” he quipped, referencing the coalition’s growing unity mantra.
For now, each aspirant is running their own race.
Gachagua emphasized that opposition leaders have been given the green light to build their individual support bases.
He revealed that a decisive meeting is planned for December 2026, after which a single opposition flagbearer will be picked.
“Everyone who wants to be president has been told: go and look for your votes,” he said in Swahili. “After Christmas next year, we’ll meet and decide who carries the flag—just one candidate to face William Ruto.”
But the man many in Mt. Kenya once dubbed “Riggy G” made it clear he’s coming in strong.
Touting his influence in Kenya’s vote-rich central region, Gachagua claimed he delivered close to half of Ruto’s winning votes in 2022.
“I mobilized 4 million people from this mountain to make you president,” he thundered. “I will mobilize 8 million from this community to send you home.”
His comments come at a time when opposition politics is heating up fast. Other potential 2027 contenders include Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, NARC-Kenya’s Martha Karua, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i.
Yet none have been as blunt or as early in announcing their presidential ambitions as Gachagua.
Still, it’s not all smooth sailing for the ex-DP.
He’s facing legal headwinds, including a pending impeachment case that could complicate his road to the presidency. Despite this, Gachagua appears undeterred, framing the move as part of a larger plan to stifle political competition ahead of 2027.
As Gachagua continues his U.S. charm offensive, one thing is clear: he’s not waiting for a political coronation. He’s hitting the ground running—and taking his campaign global.
Whether he’ll actually clinch the opposition’s ticket remains to be seen. But if this speech was anything to go by, Rigathi Gachagua isn’t just in the race—he plans to lead it.
