NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has officially announced his intention to run for the presidency in Kenya’s 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Tuesday night, Gachagua said he is confident of mounting a serious campaign, insisting that he is both qualified and supported.
“I am a candidate to be president of the Republic of Kenya. I am qualified and I have support. I am looking for more support and I will be on the ballot as a candidate for President,” he told Citizen TV.
Gachagua addressed questions about his eligibility, citing ongoing legal battles and his impeachment.
He argued that the Constitution allows any Kenyan to contest elective office as long as legal remedies have not been exhausted.
“The Constitution guarantees your right to vie for elective office even if you have been convicted, if you have not exhausted the remedies available in law. The Supreme Court has not made a ruling on my impeachment,” he said, citing the case of Sirisia MP John Waluke, who was allowed to run after successfully appealing his conviction.
Opposition Contender
Gachagua is among the opposition leaders positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential race.
He dismissed claims that he is a tribal leader or promotes ethnic divisions, insisting that his commitment is to national unity.
“The man before you is a great nationalist. I have never uttered anything against other communities. Loving my community does not mean I hate others. I challenge anyone to bring a single utterance where I have spoken against other Kenyans,” he said.
He pointed to his support for President William Ruto in the 2022 elections as evidence of his broader political approach and suggested that accusations of tribalism are being driven by political rivals seeking to undermine him following his fallout with the President.
“Some of the leaders who embraced me when I was in government are now pushing the tribal narrative against me because of politics,” Gachagua added.
