Fred Okango, strategic advisor to Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, has declared that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will never be fit to lead Kenya.

Posting on his official X account on Monday, September 15, 2025, Okango dismissed Gachagua’s presidential ambitions as relics of outdated tribal politics, saying modern Kenyan leadership demands vision and unity over division.

“Even in 20 years, Riggy won’t qualify to lead Kenya. Our politics is evolving toward unity, and ideas; he’s stuck in yesterday’s tribal arithmetic. Political competition ONLY rewards the VISIONARY. He is BLIND!” Okango wrote.

Okango’s remarks come at a time of heightened political activity as Gachagua, now leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), intensifies his campaign for the 2027 presidential elections.

The former deputy president, who was impeached in late 2024 and subsequently aligned with opposition forces, has been vocal about his reform agenda.

On September 13, 2025, during a roadside rally in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Gachagua positioned himself as the “medicine” to oust President William Ruto, promising free education, universal healthcare, and the scrapping of the controversial housing levy.

“Na mimi sasa Wakenya wameniambia baada ya kupima wameona dawa ya kufukuza Kasongo ni Riggy G,” he said, urging youth to register as voters.

Gachagua’s engagements have drawn backing from allies such as former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Arap Kirwa, who on September 15 praised his efforts to restore confidence in government institutions.

In a local TV interview, Kirwa stated, “As Gachagua said, and I want to agree with him, we want to restore confidence in government institutions… I would actually be naive to say Gachagua has gone outside the script that we have as a united opposition.”

However, Gachagua’s return from the United States earlier this month stirred controversy. On August 20, 2025, Okango warned against “manufactured chaos” surrounding Gachagua’s arrival, saying: “Mr Gachagua arrives from the US tomorrow. He is no hero. Kenyans must not allow him and his clique to disrupt the public peace.”

Gachagua has, however, despite the backlash, continued to laud Kenyans’ resilience amid economic challenges, sharing images of supporters from Muruka in Kandara Constituency on X and writing: “The people of Kenya are truly resilient.

Despite facing challenging economic times and the ongoing destruction of our nation’s resources… Kenyans continue to wear a smile and exhibit unwavering hope.”

He has also promised to devolve housing to counties, rescind President Ruto’s “shoot-on-the-leg” security order, and back any united opposition flagbearer, even if not him.