Gachagua apologises to Kieni residents for 2022 mistakes

In a candid admission amid Kenya’s shifting political terrain, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua publicly apologised to residents of Kieni Constituency on 16 January 2026 for what he called major political mistakes during the 2022 General Election campaigns.

Addressing locals in the Nyeri County area, Gachagua confessed he had strongly backed an individual — widely interpreted as President William Ruto, his former running mate — whose policies he now says undermine youth empowerment. “During the 2022 campaigns, I made many mistakes which I must correct, and I will stop at nothing,” he stated.

Youth empowerment concerns

Gachagua directed sharp criticism at initiatives that encourage young Kenyans to migrate abroad without proper digital skills training. He described these as “modern-day slavery” and a form of backward brain drain that exploits rather than develops talent. In his view, this issue highlights a wider problem within the nation’s political leadership.

Seeking redemption

“I once again apologise to the people of Kieni and seek their forgiveness,” Gachagua said. “I will do whatever it takes to join the people of Kieni and many other constituencies, and above all, Kenya’s presidency, in correcting this mistake in August next year.” The August reference clearly signals his ambitions for the 2027 general election.

Rift with former ally

The apology underscores the growing divide between Gachagua and President Ruto since the former’s impeachment in October 2024. The pair once commanded strong support in the Mt Kenya region, where Ruto secured around 87 per cent of votes in 2022 thanks in part to Gachagua’s mobilisation efforts in places like Kieni. Now, Gachagua casts himself as a reformer seeking to regain trust from voters who feel let down by current economic and youth policies.

New political vehicle

Gachagua has positioned himself as a key opposition player, leading the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). The party, unveiled in May 2025 with the slogan “Skiza Wakenya” (Listen to Kenyans), has built momentum through grassroots activities and by-elections, especially in Central Kenya.

In Kieni, where past campaigns saw intense debates over national alliances, the apology could strike a chord with residents grappling with unemployment and migration pressures. Whether this gesture rebuilds credibility or serves purely as a launchpad for 2027 ambitions is yet to unfold. In Kenya’s dynamic politics, such acts of contrition often mark calculated steps to reclaim regional influence.