Gachagua Declares Bid for 2027 Presidency, Says He’s the Only Candidate Who Can Defeat Ruto

Nyeri, Kenya, Sept 14 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2027, insisting he is the only opposition candidate with the ability to unseat President William Ruto.

Speaking during a tour of Mt Kenya on Saturday, Gachagua said he had heeded calls from Kenyans to step forward and offer himself for the top seat. The former DP told residents that he had returned to his political backyard to seek their blessings before embarking on the campaign trail.

“I have come home to say that I have accepted to vie for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya. Kenyans have looked and said the only leader who has the ability to remove Ruto from office is Riggy G,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua, who was accompanied by a section of leaders allied to his Democratic Change Party (DCP), outlined a raft of priorities that he said would define his administration if elected. Among them is the revival of free education, a policy he credited to the late President Mwai Kibaki, which he argued has suffered setbacks under subsequent administrations.

“The first thing I will do if elected president is to ensure that our children truly access free education, as was introduced by the late Mwai Kibaki,” Gachagua noted, adding that many families are still struggling to meet school-related costs despite the government’s pledge of free basic education.

He further promised sweeping reforms in the health sector, including restoring free maternity services, which he said would ease financial pressures on families and improve maternal and child health outcomes.

The former DP also pledged to abolish the controversial housing levy introduced under the Ruto administration, saying it had become an unfair burden on Kenyans already grappling with tough economic times.

“These are the burdens we must lift from Kenyans if we want a nation where citizens thrive,” he said during roadside rallies.

Gachagua’s announcement comes as opposition leaders continue behind-the-scenes talks to settle on a single candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027. His declaration is expected to shake up the political landscape, especially in the Mt Kenya region, which remains a critical voting bloc.