BOSTON, USA — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has formally announced his intention to vie for the presidency in 2027, declaring himself the frontrunner to lead the opposition against President William Ruto. Speaking during a diaspora engagement at the Well of Worship Hall in Massachusetts, Gachagua launched satellite offices for the newly formed Democratic Change Party (DCP) and affirmed his growing political base.
“I am the frontrunner, and I think I have the best chance to be president,” Gachagua told an enthusiastic crowd, emphasizing that he holds the political capital and public backing needed to unseat Ruto after just one term.
Gachagua, who fell out with Ruto earlier this year, addressed internal divisions within the opposition, stating that no consensus has been reached on a joint presidential candidate. “We have not settled on anybody. There’s only one thing agreed on—and it’s Wantam,” he said, referring to a proposed unity strategy among opposition leaders.
He urged all aspirants to rally support independently ahead of a decisive December 2026 meeting, where the opposition plans to settle on a single candidate to challenge Ruto.
Boasting of his influence in the Mt. Kenya region, Gachagua claimed he delivered 4 million votes for Ruto in 2022 and pledged to double that in his own bid. “I will mobilize 8 million from this community to send you home,” he said.
Gachagua’s U.S. tour aims to strengthen his support base among the Mt. Kenya diaspora. Meanwhile, other opposition hopefuls, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, and Okiya Omtatah, are also eyeing the ticket. His bid, however, faces a hurdle from an unresolved impeachment case filed earlier this year.
