President William Ruto during the commissioning parade of 309 cadets at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County on April 16, 2025.
President William Ruto’s administration is increasingly rattled by the political resurgence of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, whose growing alliances and combativeness have sparked fears of a formidable opposition takeover in the 2027 General Election.
What began as political discontent has now evolved into a national movement with Mr Gachagua positioning himself at the center of an anti-Ruto coalition that threatens to upend the current regime.
Insiders within the ruling coalition are openly expressing anxiety not just about losing power, but about the potential consequences of an Opposition victory that could bring with it retribution, corruption probes and political purges.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has been particularly candid, indicating that the dominant fear within the administration is not just an electoral loss but one that could usher in vengeance, witch-hunt, and persecution.
“One of the fears we have is that if these people win, they can jail us. That is why we are doing everything possible to defeat them,” Mr Sudi said.
When asked why they should fear jail if innocent, Mr Sudi said their political detractors are very bitter.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi during distribution of Uwezo Fund cheques to youth, women and people living with disabilities in Kapseret on June 20, 2025.
“That is not something to joke about. These people can do anything,” he said.
Political scientist Festus Wangwe says both political camps fear each other but the greater threat lies with the incumbent who seems more focused on the campaign trail than on governance.
“It is understandable for the Ruto administration to feel threatened when all layman opinion polls being released indicate a likely overwhelming loss in 2027,” he said.
“This government has become vulnerable due to its inability to effectively communicate its success stories, its tendency to lie even when the truth would ease pressure, and a habit of having top officials talk down to Kenyans,” he further noted.
The one person who appears to have spooked the government the most is Mr Gachagua who was impeached in October 2024 after serving two years as the Deputy President.
Mr Gachagua has since launched the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) which is gaining traction in the Mt Kenya region. Mr Gachagua has also been forming tactical alliances with other regional leaders with the aim of making President Ruto a one-term president.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua meets his supporters after unveiling his new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), in Lavington, Nairobi on May 15, 2025.
Currently, he is working closely with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People Liberation Party’s Martha Karua, and DAP-Kenya boss Eugene Wamalwa.
Ms Karua has similarly caused degree of unease for the government. She has promised a post-2027 Kenya that will recover stolen public funds, jail corrupt officials and surcharge all those responsible for bleeding the economy.
'Clueless opposition'
Meanwhile, though he has not publicly committed, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i is also believed to be in Gachagua’s camp. So far, he's made just two public appearances with a tour of Kisii County and a visit to Gachagua's Wamunyoro home.
Dr Matiang’i recently handed in his official notice of exit from the World Bank to make a comeback to public life and possibly a stab at the 2027 presidential race.
In the Kenya Kwanza camp, the fear runs so deep that President Ruto himself either through a slip of the tongue or by design, recently said that he will not hand over power to his clueless opponents.
“These people are just walking around chanting ‘Ruto must go’... they have no agenda. Theirs is just a one-term slogan... let it be known that we will not hand over power to such a group,” President Ruto said.
But in response Mr Gachagua warned the President that it is not in his place to decide whether or not hand over power in the event that he is defeated at the polls.
“I thank the President for accepting defeat this early. That is fine with us, but where he goes wrong is in thinking the Constitution of Kenya listens to handovers. It only recognises the winner assuming office,” Mr Gachagua said.
“Our principal agenda is to make you a one-term president because nothing else will work while you are still in office,” he added.
Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, in response to Mr Gachagua, labelled the opposition as boisterous.
“Since your aim is to distract us, we will continue to focus on the important duty of building Kenya as is required of us by the responsibilities of office. However, we will still find time to take you head-on and obliterate your petty and juvenile theatrics in the most spectacular and decisive manner,” Prof Kindiki said.
Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Moses Wetang’ula, who is currently in a fierce battle with Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya for Bukusu community loyalty, has similarly termed Gachagua a "greenhorn armed with bravado and rage."
But former UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala said Mr Wetang’ula is simply voicing his insecurities.
“You’re too comfortable in your status quo, and you fear that a liberation would cut you off from the economic teat you suck so mercilessly,” Mr Malala said.
“There are politicians like Wetang’ula who only serve their own comfort and never step out of Bungoma County to understand the needs of other Kenyans,” he said.
In Ruto’s camp, Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Mr Kimani Ichung’wah has accused the former DP of running a tribal, personal crusade.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, now one of President Ruto's fiercest Mt Kenya loyalists, said Gachagua's impeachment was a necessary amputation of a political cancer.
Mr Natembeya however views the current political battle differently.
“We now have two clear formations heading into the 2027 elections: pro-people and anti-people. It is now or never. We cannot keep riding on the backs of poor Kenyans, promising change and then wasting five years on empty hope,” he said.
