Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua launched a fierce campaign in Nairobi on Thursday, urging residents to reject President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja in the 2027 general election.
The former deputy president, now leading the Democracy for Citizens Party after his historic impeachment in October 2024, made an unannounced tour of the capital’s key markets including Marikiti and Gikomba. He engaged directly with traders, hawkers and small business owners, listening to grievances over high living costs and economic hardship.
Gachagua sharply criticised Ruto’s administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on 2022 campaign promises. “Instead of putting more money in people’s pockets as promised, President Ruto has taken away the little Kenyans had,” he told crowds, according to reports from the visit. He extended the attack to Sakaja, branding him a failed leader and questioning his alignment with residents’ needs.
Market engagements and trader complaints
The tour focused on bustling informal sector hubs where traders voiced concerns about inflation, taxes and business disruptions. Gachagua positioned himself as a champion of ordinary Kenyans, shaking hands and promising change through the ballot in 2027. Supporters cheered his direct approach, seeing it as a sign of his growing influence in the cosmopolitan city.
Political comeback amid controversy
Since his removal from office — the first impeachment of a sitting deputy president in Kenya’s history — Gachagua has emerged as a vocal opposition figure. He has repeatedly accused the Ruto government of economic mismanagement, excessive taxation and using state machinery against critics. His Nairobi foray follows recent rallies in other regions and signals an early push to consolidate opposition support ahead of the next polls.
Analysts view the move as strategic, targeting Nairobi’s diverse electorate of youth, informal workers and ethnic communities. Gachagua has declared his intent to challenge Ruto directly, insisting he can make the president a one-term leader despite questions over his eligibility post-impeachment.
Reactions remain divided. Backers praised his engagement with grassroots concerns, while critics accused him of divisive rhetoric. Ruto’s allies have dismissed such campaigns as politically motivated.
As Kenya grapples with ongoing economic pressures, Gachagua’s bold incursion into the capital underscores that preparations for 2027 are intensifying.
