Nairobi, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has thrown down the gauntlet to opposition leaders eyeing the presidency, warning that only numbers will count in the battle to unseat President William Ruto come 2027.
Speaking in a candid interview on Inooro TV, Gachagua dismissed any expectation of easy backing, insisting that each contender must prove their ability to galvanize votes, particularly from their political strongholds.
“We won’t be looking at one’s looks, how good you speak the English language, how tall or short you are, or even body size, whether you have a huge name or a PhD,” Gachagua said. “If you want to lead Kenya, it means dislodging Ruto, and to do that you need votes. You need to convince us you have those votes.”
He revealed that talks on a joint opposition candidate are likely to kick off in December 2026, but warned that mere declarations would not suffice. “If you announce you want to remove Ruto, how are you going to do it? You must demonstrate a winning formula,” he added.
Gachagua claimed he has already mobilized seven million votes from Mt Kenya and surrounding regions and is targeting at least 10 million votes by rallying support from the Maa community, the Coast, Gen Z, and salaried Kenyans. “I will present my 10 million votes and request my counterparts to endorse and add me theirs. If Kalonzo or Karua have better numbers, then they must prove it,” he said.
The former DP’s remarks come as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, and former CS Fred Matiang’i position themselves for the 2027 race under the so-called ‘United Opposition’.
But Gachagua, who fell out bitterly with Ruto after backing him in 2022, also cast himself as a kingmaker. “I backed Ruto, mobilized four million votes in the region and made him President through a lot of hardships only for him to throw me out and target the community,” he said.
Still, his ambitions face hurdles. His impeachment hangs over him legally, with courts yet to decide his eligibility to hold state office. Critics also point to the Mt Kenya region’s history, having already produced three presidents, as a factor that could trigger resistance from other blocs.
Gachagua maintained that any endorsement from him would be tied to a structured power-sharing and resource allocation deal, signaling lessons from his fallout with Ruto. “Power isn’t passed over like a cigarette lighter. You have to show us how many voters you’ve mobilized, how many meetings you’ve held. Winning elections is about numbers,” he said.
The former DP now says he is rallying behind 78 MPs, 14 governors, 14 senators, and 416 MCAs in his quest to cement his influence ahead of 2027.
