Gachagua Says He Is Ready To Back Alternative Candidate To Unseat Ruto
Politics Updated: 18 June 2026 18:03 EAT
DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua speaking to the press hours before parliament voting to usher in the new Finance Bill
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared that he is prepared to make any political sacrifice, including supporting another presidential candidate, to ensure President William Ruto serves only one term.
Addressing a delegation of supporters and political allies, Gachagua said the opposition must unite behind a single candidate and political vehicle capable of challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration in the 2027 General Election.
"All our votes will go into one basket. I want your guidance on what qualities to look for to support somebody else. I want your advice on how to mobilize our people as one so that we all move in the same direction," he said.
The former deputy president revealed that he has been holding a series of consultations with various groups as part of efforts to build a formidable political coalition. He said the engagements have attracted significant interest from different quarters, including individuals currently serving within government.
"You are the third delegation since I started. I've had two very successful delegations. I'll have another one. I have meetings late into the night. Some are publicized, others are not," Gachagua stated.
He further claimed that some government officials have been secretly engaging opposition leaders and sharing information about developments within the administration, saying their identities would remain protected.
"There are people within government who are also consulting with us. We'll protect their identity. We have those who want to come at night. They are welcome—the Nicodemuses of this world," he said.
According to Gachagua, many of those reaching out are uncomfortable with the direction of the current administration but remain in government because of their jobs.
"Most of them are very uncomfortable with this government. But they still need a salary. They are advising us and telling us what pitfalls to avoid," he added.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader described his party as a growing political force and urged supporters to rally behind a single political vehicle to strengthen their bargaining power and influence.
"We are all in agreement, and I think events here for the last two days clear up that DCP is a party of choice, and that we should have one strong political vehicle," he said.
Gachagua insisted that political leaders should follow the wishes of the people rather than dictate political decisions to them.
"The people are never told what to do, they are never told where to go—they are the ones who decide, and then the leaders align with them. What my people tell me to do is what we shall do," he said.
Turning to the Finance Bill 2026, Gachagua said he had directed lawmakers allied to his political movement to attend parliamentary proceedings and participate in a physical vote so that their positions would be publicly known.
"I have directed assembly members aligned with our party to be present in parliament so that there can be a physical vote, so that Kenyans can know who has voted for and who has voted against the finance bill," he said.
He warned MPs from the Mount Kenya region against remaining neutral on the bill, arguing that voters would judge them based on how they voted.
"Those MPs from the Mount Kenya region in parliament who are against the people and are with Ruto—the time has come, you must decide whether you are with Ruto or with the people," he stated.
Gachagua further argued that lawmakers who fail to vote against the bill should be viewed as supporters of the proposed measures.
"Those who don't vote and those who vote 'yes' are the same people. Not going to parliament to vote 'no' is voting 'yes' for the Finance Bill 2026," he said.
The former deputy president also raised concerns over supplementary budget allocations approved near the end of the financial year, questioning the scale and timing of the expenditures.
"We have a supplementary budget in the electoral cycle towards the end of the financial year that ends with William spending 6.22 billion shillings through confidential expenditure. That is money in cash," he claimed.
He questioned how such large sums could be spent within a short period and alleged that some of the allocations lacked adequate justification.
"With only 12 days remaining, how do you spend 200 million shillings a day? There is nothing he is maintaining or operating. State House other operating expenses: one billion," Gachagua said.
The DCP leader alleged that the funds were intended to finance political activities and influence electoral contests, including upcoming by-elections.
"They are stealing 6.22 billion in 12 days to bribe people for empowerment programs, and most of it is going toward the by-election," he alleged.
Gachagua maintained that defeating President Ruto in 2027 would require unity and sacrifice from opposition leaders and their supporters.
"If it regards making sacrifices to make Ruto a one-term president and then support somebody else, we must do it. This is an outright theft of public funds," he said.
He also claimed that individuals close to the President were rushing to benefit from public resources because they believed their time in office was limited.
"I hear the mafia around him are in injury time. They are stealing everything. They are even selling passports," he alleged.
Concluding his remarks, Gachagua dismissed claims that the Mount Kenya region could be politically isolated and said leaders from the area had built relationships across the country.
"William had a very big scheme, but this community is safe from isolation. Knowing that a leader has successfully made friends across the country, nobody can isolate this region," he said.
Tags: Article DCP DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua Dp Rigathi Gachagua Edit Editor's Pick Editors choice Political Parties Political Partys Political Science Political tensions Politics Rigathi Gachagua Signs Signs Media Signs Media Kenya Limited Signs Tv Signsmedia Signst Signstv SignsTV Signstvkenya Signsv Ssignstv
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD