Gachagua to Ruto: Opposition will mobilise 20M votes to unseat you
By Aloys Michael, June 12, 2026Former Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to mobilise support across the country, particularly in areas perceived to be strongholds of the United Alternative Government, to ensure President William Ruto is defeated in the 2027 General Election.
This even as the opposition bigwigs face a litmus test to present a candidate to contest against the Head of State, who is keen to cement his reelection bid.
Gachagua has already said he will retreat for 45 days to his Wamunyoro residence to consult and deliberate with various political actors, including his opposition co-principals, on the 2027 flagbearer and campaign strategy.
Speaking on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Kisa East, Kakamega County, at the start of his three-day tour of Western Kenya, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) boss exuded confidence of delivering seven million votes from the Mt Kenya region, while other opposition strongholds would collectively contribute at least 13 million votes.
“Back home, I have consolidated seven million votes. In Nairobi, we have consolidated three million votes. We want the Mulembe nation to consolidate five million votes, and then join them with Kalonzo’s three and a half million votes,” Gachagua said.
This is not the first time the former DP is challenging Ruto in a bitter rivalry game of numbers after his ouster from the Kenya Kwanza government. On numerous occasions, Gachagua has warned that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chief would struggle to win even 5 per cent of the votes in the Mt Kenya region.
On March 28, 2026, speaking to supporters in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua described Ruto as an outsider in the region and challenged him to confront him directly rather than attacking him from afar.
“Nataka nikwaambie William Ruto, mimi Riggy G nikiwa nyumbani hapa Kirinyaga, nikiwa mtoto ya Mau Mau, nakwambia leo mchana, ukipata five per cent ya kura hapa mlimani, Riggy G hapana mwanaume,” he declared.
Opposition buckling up?
As the chessboard continues to gain root about 13 months to the general polls, the opposition has pledged to rally behind a common agenda aimed at unseating President William Ruto in the next election.
Addressing residents during the tour, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said the countdown to the next polls had effectively begun.
“August 10 will be exactly one year to the elections,” he said.
On his part, speaking later in Khayega, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala warned that the opposition would stage demonstrations on June 25, 2026, if families of young people who died during the 2024 anti-government protests had not been compensated.
Malala, who previously served as secretary general of the ruling UDA party, said the opposition was determined to send Ruto and his allies home in 2027.
The former Kakamega Senator also announced that he would once again contest the Kakamega governor’s seat in a bid to unseat incumbent Governor Ferdinand Barasa.
“In 2022, you gave me a lot of votes. I will vie again for the Kakamega governor’s seat. Give me your support,” he said.
Malala argued that the long-sought unity of the Luhya community had remained elusive, denying the Western region greater influence in national politics and that the formation of a new administration is the only way to cutter put the region on the development table.