By The Weekly Vision Political Reporter
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has opened the door to potentially shelving his 2027 presidential ambitions if doing so strengthens the opposition’s chances of unseating President William Ruto — but he has attached a firm condition: the Mt Kenya region must secure a significant share in any post-election power arrangement.
In recent interviews and public engagements, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader reiterated that he remains a presidential candidate and is not legally barred from running while appeals on his impeachment continue. Still, he signalled willingness to make a “personal sacrifice” for the broader goal of removing the incumbent.
“If I don’t run for presidency in 2027 and we support anybody else, Mt Kenya must get their share,” Gachagua said. “If for whatever reason I am not running and we have to support somebody else, what is there for us?” He added that he would only step back if opposition allies convincingly demonstrated that his candidacy risked splitting the vote and handing Ruto a win.
His remarks come amid intensified efforts to consolidate the Mt Kenya vote bloc, widely regarded as decisive in Kenyan elections. Fresh off his party’s landslide win in the Ol Kalou by-election, where DCP candidate Sammy Waweru Ngotho routed his UDA opponent, Gachagua has been touring the region, projecting confidence that UDA will struggle to win any seats there in 2027.
Political observers view his latest positioning as a calculated move to establish himself as a regional kingmaker, applying pressure on both the government and rival opposition factions as alliance talks continue. Gachagua has repeatedly claimed strong grassroots backing in the Mountain and has vowed to protect the region’s interests in any broad opposition pact.
His impeachment case remains a live issue, with appeals pending before higher courts. He maintains that constitutional protections allow him to contest the presidency until all legal avenues are exhausted. “I am a presidential candidate. I have not been barred,” he affirmed.
