Gachagua Tells Ruto: Kenyans, Not Uhuru, Are Your Real Opponents in 2027

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto, telling him to stop portraying retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as his main political opponent ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Gachagua argued that Ruto was elected in 2022 despite Uhuru Kenyatta's opposition and therefore should not use the former president as a political scapegoat for the challenges facing his administration. 

Gachagua said Uhuru had already left elective politics and would not be on the ballot in 2027, insisting that the contest should instead focus on the concerns of millions of Kenyans.

He accused the Ruto administration of failing to address issues affecting workers, young people, businesses, healthcare, education and the cost of living.

According to Gachagua, the people affected by these issues would determine the outcome of the 2027 election, rather than Uhuru Kenyatta.

The former deputy president also claimed that opposition leaders would not require financial inducements to mobilise voters against the Kenya Kwanza administration, arguing that Kenyans were already dissatisfied with the government's record.

His remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election. Gachagua has repeatedly called for opposition parties to unite behind a single presidential candidate, although he has said he is prepared to support another candidate if he does not receive the opposition ticket. 

The DCP leader also cited the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election as evidence of growing political competition between his party and President Ruto's UDA. DCP candidate Samuel Kamau defeated UDA's John Muchina in the July contest. 

Gachagua further referred to the recent political tensions in Embu, where violence disrupted a meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Reports from the incident indicated that people were killed, several others injured and vehicles torched, with competing political accusations subsequently emerging between government and opposition figures. 

He maintained that the opposition was working towards identifying a single presidential candidate who would face Ruto in 2027, saying the process was still ongoing.

Gachagua's latest statement adds to his increasingly direct attacks on Ruto as the two former allies position themselves on opposite sides of the 2027 political contest.