Gachagua endorsed as the opposition presidential flagbearer in 2027
Leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have openly declared their support for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, positioning him as their preferred choice for the opposition presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election. The leaders made their position clear during a series of rallies held across Central Kenya, signaling the beginning of what is shaping up to be an early and aggressive opposition campaign.
Gachagua and his allies used the rallies to mount a strong attack on the current government, accusing it of pursuing policies they described as unpopular, misguided, and harmful to ordinary Kenyans. They argued that the administration has failed to address key economic and social challenges facing the country and pledged to reverse these policies should they win power in 2027.
The campaign trail officially kicked off in Kirinyaga County, a region Gachagua frequently visited during his tenure as Deputy President under the Kenya Kwanza administration. His return to the area carried symbolic weight, with supporters viewing it as a reclaiming of political ground and a signal that he remains influential in the region’s politics.
Addressing supporters at the rallies, Gachagua accused the government of widespread mismanagement, saying the mistakes made before the last general election had now come back to haunt Kenyans. He promised to lead a political movement aimed at correcting what he termed as serious errors that led to the current state of affairs.
In a fiery address delivered partly in Kiswahili, Gachagua told the crowd, “Kwa sababu mimi ndio niliwaweka kwa shimo ya kumleta Kasongo hapa, mimi ndio nitaongoza safari ya kupeleka yeye nyumbani mpaka Sugoi,” a statement that drew loud cheers from supporters. His remarks underscored his willingness to take responsibility for past political decisions while presenting himself as the leader best placed to challenge President William Ruto.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala also took to the stage, launching a scathing critique of the government’s priorities. Malala questioned what he described as selective state appointments and a lack of accountability, particularly in relation to recent protests and unrest involving young people.
“So, we want to ask William Ruto, before you start dishing state appointments to Raila’s family, you must compensate families of Gen Zs who were killed,” Malala said, drawing applause from the crowd. His remarks reflected growing opposition concerns over governance, justice, and the treatment of young Kenyans.
In Karatina, Nyeri County, the DCP team continued their campaign by directly challenging President Ruto’s recent political activities in the region. Speaking on home turf, Gachagua intensified his criticism of his former boss, questioning his leadership record and accusing him of abandoning the promises made to voters.
As the 2027 election draws closer, the rallies in Central Kenya signal a clear shift in political alignments, with Gachagua and the DCP positioning themselves as a formidable force within the opposition and setting the stage for a heated political contest in the years ahead.
Gachagua endorsed as the opposition presidential flagbearer in 2027
