Ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has repositioned himself as a force to be reckoned with ahead of the 2027 general election. Although sidelined and politically wounded by the impeachment process, 10 months later, Gachagua has recast himself as a formidable opposition leader. He has turned his fierce criticism on his ally-turned-rival, President William Ruto and his administration.

For almost a month and a half while in the United States (U.S.), Gachagua sustained political relevance and media attention in Kenya, with remarks often laced with sharp criticism of the government. When he jetted back into the country on August 21, the scene at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was less a homecoming and more a political spectacle. Hundreds of supporters broke through police barriers, brought Mombasa Road to a standstill, and clashed with security forces, turning the busy highway into a warzone. 

Such displays are a common occurrence, especially during periods of political unrest. For instance, in November 2017, Raila Odinga and his supporters were dispersed with tear gas shortly after leaving the JKIA, following his return from a 10-day visit to the U.S.. This incident occurred amid heightened political tension as a result of the disputed 2017 general election, which had been nullified by the Supreme Court under then Chief Justice David Maraga. The nullification of the presidential vote prompted a repeat of the poll.

Gachagua’s confidence also partly stems from his claimed influence in the Mount Kenya region, a voting bloc that has long played a key role in Kenyan politics. During the visit to the U.S., he stated he had mobilised four million people from the region to secure Dr. Ruto’s presidency. “I will mobilise eight million from this community to send you home,” he said while in Boston on July 21 during a diaspora engagement.

A Calculated Move

Analysts say that in forming a new political outfit – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) – he has positioned himself as a direct challenger to President Ruto in the 2027 polls. The launch of the party, which came seven months after his impeachment, marked a definitive rupture in the alliance that delivered them to power in 2022. According to Gachagua, the party was born from months of “consultation with Kenyans at home and abroad”. The former deputy president explained that he had spent six months at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri, holding discussions with businesspeople, students, diaspora communities, and even social media users. 

In what political analysts say appears to be a calculated pivot to the populist lane President Ruto once occupied, Gachagua’s party seems to have also followed the same path of ‘unheard strategy’, especially targeting the youth and rural voters who feel betrayed by post-election policies that deviated sharply from the 2022 ‘hustler’ narrative.

“Our party symbol is a listening ear. At no time shall a Kenyan be left behind or remain unheard,” Gachagua said during the launch of DCP in May, adding that the party will not offer direct nominations and that all aspirants must face party primaries.

President Ruto’s grip on Parliament and allegations of bribery during the impeachment process made Gachagua look more like a victim. His impeachment, rather than destroying him, seems to have boosted his appeal. In his case, he has skilfully framed much of the criticism against him, whether from political rivals or even from the media, as an assault not just on him, but on the Mt. Kenya region’s stake in national politics. 

Additionally, in a turn of events, the former deputy president seems to be riding on President Ruto’s declining popularity. However, whether Rigathi Gachagua can convert frustrations into a formidable political machine remains to be seen.