Gachagua: I am the frontrunner in 2027 presidential race
By Faith Lagat, September 4, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has boldly declared himself the frontrunner in Kenya’s 2027 presidential race, framing his campaign around faith, integrity, and national healing.
The assertion comes nearly a year after his dramatic impeachment in October 2024, which he described as a politically motivated move by President William Ruto.
Speaking in a CBN interview on September 4, 2025, he said, “I am the frontrunner (for president) and have the best chance of winning (in 2027).”
Standing against Ruto’s policies
Gachagua has positioned himself as a moral counterweight to Ruto, especially criticising the controversial “shoot in the leg” policy targeting anti-government protesters.
Speaking in the interview, he recounted, “And I tried to persuade him in private within government that it’s not right to kill young people because they were expressing themselves, and he couldn’t hear of it. I had to call a press conference as deputy president and disagree with the president in public, and he decided that we couldn’t stay together.”
His stance against violent crackdowns forms a central pillar of his campaign narrative, appealing to citizens frustrated by state-led unrest and human rights violations.
Personal struggles
Gachagua’s campaign leans heavily on his Christian faith, which he believes resonates with Kenya’s majority-Christian population.
“Well, the Kenyan people have put a lot of pressure on me because they are looking for somebody who is truthful, somebody who has integrity. And Kenyans, a big percentage, are Christians,” he added.
He also shared his experiences surviving alleged assassination attempts, including food poisoning plots and attacks by armed gangs, crediting divine protection.
“It has not happened because God has taken care of me,” he said.
Challenges and political vision
Despite legal battles surrounding his impeachment, Gachagua insists he remains eligible to contest, stating, “I am qualified, and I have support. The Constitution guarantees your right to vie for elective office even if you have been convicted, if you have not exhausted the remedies available in law. The Supreme Court has not made a ruling on my impeachment.”
He also warned of fractured opposition alliances but emphasised his commitment to democratic processes.
“Much as we are struggling, we don’t want change through any other method. We want to wait for the elections on the 10th of August 2027.”
Gachagua’s narrative of faith, resilience, and principled opposition now faces the test of Kenya’s legal scrutiny and political rivalries. As he mobilises supporters at home and abroad, the 2027 race promises to be both fiercely contested and closely watched.