Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has come out to state that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will never be on the ballot.

In a rejoinder shared on his social media pages on Friday, March 13, 2026, Kaluma responded after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya was put to task to explain whether he would support Gachagua should he be cleared by the courts to vie for the presidency.

“Gachagua will never be on the ballot,” Kaluma said.

Natembeya’s remarks

Natembeya stated that he would not support him since, according to him, Gachagua’s Mt Kenya community has already produced three presidents, and it would not be wise for the community to produce another presidential candidate.

He argued that it is time for other communities, such as those from Western Kenya, which have never had one of their own at the helm of the country.

“Aaaa, mhhh, no, no. No, because I believe that the presidency should rotate. The Mt Kenya community has had it for around 43 years, almost 30-something years for one community. And again, when you go there, there isn’t much difference… like the people in Kikendu in Murang’a and the people in Kabuchai – there is really no difference. They’ve had a president; we have not had the president, but our lives are just the same.”

Other options

He further took a swipe at other popular faces within the United Opposition, such as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. Natembeya said that if the opposition eventually settles on Kalonzo as its presidential candidate, he will shelve his own presidential ambitions and rally behind him.

He praised Kalonzo, saying he is a diplomat and noting that his community, unlike Gachagua’s, has never tasted power, adding that he would be more than willing to support him.

Natembeya also said the same about his Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, noting that he would be willing to support them as presidential candidates for the united opposition.

Kaluma, who has been a long-time critic of the DCP leader, argued that since Gachagua was impeached, he cannot hold public office until the 10-year window provided by law elapses.