Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rejected calls for a debate from Health CS Aden Duale, dismissing the invitation as “laughable” and signaling that he will not entertain side discussions ahead of the 2026 elections.
The response, shared on his X account, makes it clear that Gachagua intends to limit public debates to the official presidential debate where he and President William Ruto are expected to face off.
“I have heard an employee of William Ruto was inviting me to some debate. Laughable! I don’t debate nor engage with employees of William Ruto.
I am only available for one debate with the Ruto team, the Presidential Debate next year between Mr. William Ruto and I. His employees should help him prepare talking notes early enough,” Gachagua stated in the post.
The comments underline a clear message: Gachagua sees no value in debating proxies or intermediaries, emphasizing that any effort to engage him outside the official channels is a waste of time.
His remark implicitly points to a growing tension within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) camp, where debates and public engagements have begun to stir political speculation ahead of the next general election.
This is not the first time Gachagua has made it clear that he will engage only in high-stakes debates that directly involve the principal figures. Political analysts suggest that by refusing to debate CS Duale, Gachagua is attempting to maintain his image as a candidate focused on substantive discussions and strategic engagements, avoiding what he considers distractions.
“It’s a way of controlling the narrative. By not debating representatives, he ensures that his positions are only presented in contexts where they will have maximum impact,” a political strategist explained.
The debate invitation came after CS Aden Duale, a close ally of President Ruto, called for a discussion between Gachagua and Rigathi on matters of national interest.
Duale’s proposal was seen by some observers as an attempt to create political theatre, potentially putting Gachagua in a position where his words could be used against him or misconstrued by the public. Gachagua’s decision to decline suggests that he is wary of being drawn into premature political battles.
The Deputy President’s insistence on limiting debates to the official presidential debate could also reflect internal planning within the UDA team.
By focusing solely on the scheduled debate with President Ruto, Gachagua is effectively controlling his campaign engagements, ensuring that he avoids unnecessary controversies and distractions that could arise from informal debates with party allies or representatives.
Analysts note that Gachagua’s approach could serve multiple purposes. Firstly, it consolidates his standing among supporters who view him as disciplined and strategic, someone who engages only when it matters.
Secondly, it indirectly pressures the Ruto camp to focus on preparation and coordination for the main presidential debate rather than deploying staff or intermediaries to conduct unofficial debates. The message is clear: Gachagua wants discussions on issues that truly matter, not what he considers peripheral or staged encounters.
Political commentators also suggest that Gachagua’s response might be a signal to the wider electorate about his priorities and approach to governance.
By refusing to debate an envoy or proxy, he emphasizes substance over spectacle, reinforcing a narrative that he is serious about policy, leadership, and national interest rather than party politics or theatrics.
With the 2026 general election approaching, every statement from high-profile leaders like Gachagua and Ruto is scrutinized for clues about campaign strategies and alliances.
By publicly rejecting the debate invitation, Gachagua has drawn a line, signaling that his campaign will be tightly controlled, strategically focused, and unwilling to be sidetracked by what he considers unnecessary engagements.
In conclusion, Gachagua’s X post serves as both a refusal and a political statement. He is setting the tone for how he intends to engage with President Ruto and the electorate—one controlled, strategic, and focused on major events like the official presidential debate.
Whether this approach will pay off in terms of public perception and campaign momentum remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Gachagua is drawing a hard line on the kind of debates he considers worthy of his time.
