Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed the ongoing speculation over President William Ruto’s running mate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a rally in Nyamakima, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader said the debate is a deliberate diversion, particularly targeting voters from the Mount Kenya region.
He added that whether Ruto selects Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga or Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as his deputy, Kenyans’ priority remains removing him from office.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed the ongoing speculation over President William Ruto’s running mate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a rally in Nyamakima, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader said the debate is a deliberate diversion, particularly targeting voters from the Mount Kenya region.
He added that whether Ruto selects Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga or Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as his deputy, Kenyans’ priority remains removing him from office.
Gachagua argued that political discussions about the deputy president position are irrelevant to citizens, who are more concerned with leadership change in 2027.
The former deputy president also criticised Mount Kenya MPs who reacted after the Orange Democratic Movement declared it will insist on the deputy president slot.
He claimed these MPs were defending Deputy President Kithure Kindiki against rumours that he would be sidelined or removed from office.
According to Gachagua, Mount Kenya already had a legitimately elected deputy president, himself, chosen by the people of Kenya.
He accused some leaders from the region of collaborating with MPs from other regions to attempt his removal from office.
“Wanajaribu kupindua debate ati Kindiki atatolewa deputy president. Sijui iwekwe Oburu, iwekwe Wanga. Sisi hatuna haja nani atakuwa deputy wa Ruto; kazi yetu ni kukufukuza uende nyumbani,” Gachagua said.
He emphasised that even if Kindiki, Wanga, or Oburu is chosen as Ruto’s deputy, the electorate’s main agenda is to vote Ruto out.
The DAP-K leader’s remarks come amid intensified speculation over Ruto’s potential running mate, with regional leaders lobbying for strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 race.
Gachagua’s rally in Nyamakima attracted hundreds of supporters, with speeches focusing on the need to hold the current administration accountable.
He stressed that the Mount Kenya region should remain united, rejecting divisions caused by political manoeuvres over deputy presidency discussions.
The former deputy president’s comments signal a hardening stance within opposition ranks, dismissing internal rivalries in favour of a singular objective — removing Ruto.
Political analysts say Gachagua’s rhetoric aims to galvanise voters while undermining any debate that could benefit Ruto’s alliance-building efforts.
By framing the deputy president debate as a distraction, Gachagua seeks to keep the opposition’s messaging centred on accountability and regime change.
Observers note that his hardline position may intensify regional political tensions as parties prepare for coalition negotiations ahead of 2027.
Mount Kenya politicians will likely face pressure to align with Gachagua’s call for unity, even as parties across Kenya strategise over prospective running mates.
Despite the ongoing speculation, Gachagua made it clear that Kenyans’ judgment will not be swayed by who Ruto selects as deputy.
He urged citizens to focus on the broader goal of electoral change, framing the 2027 election as a referendum on Ruto’s leadership.
Gachagua concluded by reiterating that the opposition’s unity and determination remain key to ensuring that President Ruto exits office at the end of his term.
The rally ended on a defiant note, with supporters chanting slogans emphasising political change and rejecting distractions from leadership selection debates.
