Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared that
he will contest the presidency in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Tuesday night, Gachagua said he is determined to
be on the ballot, adding that he is both qualified and confident of garnering
enough support to mount a serious campaign.
“I am a candidate to be president of the Republic of Kenya.
I am qualified and I have support. I am looking for more support and I will be
on the ballot as a candidate for President,” he stated.
Gachagua defended his eligibility despite questions
surrounding his impeachment and ongoing legal battles.
He argued that the Constitution provides for every Kenyan to
run for elective office as long as legal remedies have not been exhausted.
“The Constitution guarantees your right to vie for elective
office even if you have been convicted, if you have not exhausted the remedies
available in law. The Supreme Court has not made a ruling on my impeachment,”
Gachagua said on Citizen TV.
He cited the case of Sirisia MP John Waluke, who was
convicted but allowed to vie for office after he successfully appealed his
case.
The former DP is among the opposition leaders seeking to fly
the opposition flag in the 2027 race.
During the interview, he dismissed accusations that he is a
tribal leader, insisting that he is a nationalist committed to Kenya’s unity.
He also dismissed claims that he promotes ethnic divisions,
saying his love for his community has been misinterpreted.
“The man before you is a great nationalist. I have never
uttered anything against other communities. Loving my community does not mean I
hate others. I challenge anyone to bring a single utterance where I have spoken
against other Kenyans,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua pointed to his support for President William Ruto
in the 2022 general elections as evidence that he does not engage in tribal
politics.
He argued that the accusations are being driven by political
rivals seeking to damage his reputation following his fallout with the
President.
“Some of the leaders who embraced me when I was in
government are now pushing the tribal narrative against me because of
politics,” he said.
