NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says President William Ruto has been making overtures to him in a bid to reconcile, months after Gachagua’s dramatic impeachment and fallout with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In an interview aired Monday morning, Gachagua claimed that President Ruto has attempted to contact him multiple times via phone, signaling an effort to repair a fractured political relationship ahead of the 2027 general election.
“President Ruto has tried to call me, but I don’t have time for him,” Gachagua said. “I am focused on the bigger picture — removing him from power.”
The former DP, who now styles himself as a presidential contender, said he is willing to step aside if the opposition settles on a stronger candidate to unseat Ruto.
“I am a presidential candidate, but if we sit down as the opposition and determine that my candidature would lead to William Ruto winning a second term, I will withdraw and support Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, or Eugene Wamalwa — whichever of them is best positioned to challenge Ruto,” he said.
He emphasized that the opposition alliance is built on a shared objective — defeating Ruto — rather than individual ambition.
“They have also said they would support me if I garner enough support, because the most important thing is to send Ruto home.”
Gachagua’s remarks come amid a flurry of realignments in Kenya’s political landscape, as former allies become rivals and opposition leaders inch closer to forming a united front.