Gachagua Throws Hat in the Ring for 2027 Presidency, Targets Corruption

Rigathi Gachagua greets supporters in Mt. Kenya after declaring he is firmly in the 2027 presidential race under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has formally announced his entry into the 2027 presidential race, setting the stage for a fierce contest against President William Ruto and other contenders.

Speaking during a tour of the Mt. Kenya region on Saturday, September 13, 2025, Gachagua declared that he will fly the flag of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) in the upcoming polls. He insisted that his decision is firm and irreversible, positioning himself as a strong alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“I am firmly in the 2027 presidential race,” Gachagua said, vowing to champion accountability and people-driven governance.“My government will end corruption and restore dignity to Kenyans.”

Gachagua took direct aim at President Ruto’s leadership, accusing his administration of using delegations at State House to promote graft. He further alleged that public resources are being unfairly distributed to select counties in a bid to influence voters ahead of the elections.

“There is a systematic misuse of state resources to buy loyalty,” he claimed, calling on Kenyans to reject what he described as “politics of handouts and manipulation.”

Leaders allied to Gachagua in Mt. Kenya threw their weight behind his candidacy, arguing that he is best placed to unify the region and challenge Ruto in 2027. They dismissed claims that satellite parties backed by the government are intended to fragment the opposition vote in the vote-rich region.

The former Deputy President’s declaration reshapes the political landscape as campaigns for 2027 begin to take shape. His candidacy is expected to test his influence in Mt. Kenya, a region that has traditionally played a decisive role in national elections.

With corruption, governance, and regional equity emerging as his central campaign themes, Gachagua’s entry into the race will likely intensify political rivalries and realignments in the months ahead.
Reporting by: Babz Abdul Raheem N.
Date: September 15, 2025