Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a swipe at the ongoing debate over who should deputise President William Ruto in 2027, stating that whoever becomes his running mate, Ruto must still go home.

While speaking during a rally in Nyamakima on Monday, February 16, 2026, the Democracy for Citizens Party leader said the debate is merely aimed at diverting Kenyans, particularly those from the Mount Kenya region.

He added that whether Ruto settles on Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga or Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga as his deputy, Kenyans are not interested, as their main focus is to send him home in 2027.

Gachagua further took issue with a section of Mount Kenya MPs who have been lamenting after the ODM party declared that it will settle for nothing less than the deputy president position.

The MPs have also been defending Deputy President Kithure Kindiki against claims of being stripped of his seat.

He argued that Mount Kenya had a duly elected Deputy President, himself, who was voted for by the people of Kenya, but some leaders from the region joined hands with MPs from other regions to push him out of office.

“Wanajaribu kupindua debate ati kindiki atatolewa deputy president, sijui iwekwe oburu, iwekwe Wanga. Sisi hatuna haja nani atakuwa deputy wa Ruto; kazi yetu ni kukufukuza uende nyumbani. hata ukiweka kindiki, Wanga, ama Oburu, bado utaenda nyumbani.”

“We are not interested in who your running mate is; whoever you pick, you will still go home.”

Gachagua’s remarks come at a time when the push by Oburu has attracted opposition from several leaders drawn from the Mt Kenya region, with them threatening to bolt out of government should the push continue.

Among the first to oppose the move was Muthomi Njuki, the Tharaka Nithi Governor. Njuki argued that if ODM insists the Deputy President must come from its party, then Kindiki should resign from UDA, join ODM, and retain the seat under that arrangement.

He termed that as the only compromise acceptable to leaders from the region, insisting their “kinsman” must remain at the helm beyond 2027.

He was seconded by Public Service and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who echoed similar sentiments, saying the DP slot remains reserved for Kindiki and is non-negotiable.

Other UDA-allied MPs, including Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Kiambaa MP John Kawanjiku, have also defended Kindiki, warning that any attempt to push him out would trigger a political fallout in the Mt Kenya region.

Wanjiku defends ODM

However, leaders aligned to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, led by Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, have sided with ODM’s push for the DP slot. Muhia argued that when they previously fought for the interests of Mt Kenya, they were branded tribalists. Now, she noted, those who criticised them find themselves advancing similar regional interests.

She added that they would have no issue if the seat were handed to Oburu or even ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga, questioning what the pro-Kindiki camp expected after ODM signed a cooperation agreement with President Ruto. According to her, the emerging cracks were predictable.

Kindiki’s DP debate take

Kindiki himself appeared to respond to the debate, urging Mt Kenya residents not to be alarmed by the ongoing political noise. He described himself as a seasoned political strategist who chooses his moments carefully.

“Msibabaishwe na ile mambo kidogo kidogo ambayo mnaskia hapa na pale. Hii mambo ingine yote ya siasa, sisi ndio mafundi wa siasa, my friend. Na hatuongeangi sana. We know we talk at the right time,” he said.