Gachagua to Ruto: You lack numbers for second term
By Aloys Michael, May 2, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his political confrontation with President William Ruto, sharply questioning the Head of State’s prospects for re-election in the 2027 General Election and declaring that the president lacks the numbers needed to secure a second term.
Gachagua and other United Alternative Government figures are having their plans afoot, buckling up to make Ruto a one-term president even as he courts a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders to cement the 2027 bid.
Speaking during a public baraza in Kajiado County on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Oloitoktok, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader dismissed Ruto’s confidence in retaining power, arguing that the political ground had shifted dramatically against him, insisting that discontent was spreading beyond the Mount Kenya region and consolidating into a broader opposition wave.
“Huyo Ruto mlima imemtoroka. Wakamba wamemtoroka, Maa hawamtaki. Sasa atatoa wapi kura ya kubaki kwa ofisi? You were once a Mount Kenya region darling, and they have now abandoned you,” he said.
He further amplified his criticism by claiming that even the President’s former strongholds had withdrawn support.
“Walikuwa wakimuona wanashangilia yeye saii mlima Ruto hakanyagi bila pesa,” he added.
The remarks form part of Gachagua’s increasingly assertive campaign narrative, positioning him as the principal political voice of Mount Kenya and a key architect of a united opposition front.
He has repeatedly argued that dissatisfaction with Ruto’s administration is driven by unmet campaign promises, economic strain, and perceived regional neglect.
Gachagua dares Ruto
Earlier, while addressing supporters in Kirinyaga County on March 28, 2026, Gachagua directly challenged the president’s electoral strength in the vote-rich Central Highlands, warning that Ruto would struggle to secure even a minimal share of votes in the region.
“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.
The DCP boss has also intensified his attacks on the president’s economic policies, particularly targeting the coffee sector, which remains a key livelihood source in Central Kenya, accusing Ruto of misleading communities and failing to protect farmers from exploitation.
“Wewe Kasongo, nimeskia juzi, ukienda kwa Wajaluo, kuongea mambo ya kahawa. Kudanganya Wajaluo, ati mimi ndio niliharibu kahawa.
“Kasongo wewe, ndio uliharibu kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukasambaratisha sector ya Kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukaharibu kahawa yetu. Ile shillingi billioni saba, iliweza kusaidia wakulima wa kahawa, ukachukua, ukaiba,” he said.
In recent months, Gachagua has combined hardline political messaging with grassroots mobilisation across Mount Kenya counties, using rallies, church events, funerals, and local media engagements to reinforce his influence.
His campaign style blends confrontation with strategic outreach, often describing critics as traitors, while still calling for unity under what he terms a gather all, scatter none philosophy.
“I have urged them to work hard to be elected. All traitors of the Kenyan people and our community who are helping William Ruto persecute our people must be voted out without fear or favour,” he has stated in previous rallies.
Ruto confident of 2027 win
Meanwhile, President Ruto has maintained confidence in his political standing, dismissing opposition attacks and projecting a strong re-election bid.
Speaking at the State House during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council meeting, the President said he is targeting a decisive victory in 2027.
“As we talk today, we have a broad-based government arrangement. Tulikuwa na matatizo, makelele, fujo, na maandamano, na tukasema in every challenge, there is a silver lining, and there is an opportunity if you look carefully. In that challenge, we decided to create an opportunity out of it,” Ruto said.
He added that his alliance with ODM had stabilised governance and reduced political tensions.
Ruto expressed confidence that he was going to win the upcoming 2027 presidential race with a margin of between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 votes.
“We have agreed with the leadership of ODM to explore options and opportunities for having a coalition going into the next election. Hii election inakuja, we want to win by a margin of between two and three million. The last election we won by a margin of 200,000 votes, but this coming election, we must win by a margin of two to three million ndo tuunganishe Kenya na tutembee pamoja,” Ruto said.
As the 2027 political contest slowly takes shape, the emerging Gachagua-Ruto rivalry is increasingly defining Kenya’s shifting power dynamics, with Mount Kenya emerging as the central battleground for electoral dominance.