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Post Reply: Gachagua Announces 2027 Presidential Candidacy, Brushes Off Impeachment Concerns

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on August 27, 2025, 5:24 am</div><div id="pl-7711"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-7711-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-7711-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-7711-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has officially declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 general election, signaling a bold move to challenge President William Ruto. Speaking at a funeral in Limuru, Kiambu County, Gachagua expressed confidence in his political future, dismissing concerns about his recent impeachment and emphasizing his commitment to transformative leadership. His announcement comes amid heightened political tensions and ongoing legal battles over his removal from office, marking a significant moment in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024, the first of its kind for a Kenyan deputy president, stemmed from 11 charges, including allegations of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining the government. The National Assembly overwhelmingly voted to approve the impeachment, with 282 MPs in favor and only 44 against, followed by the Senate’s confirmation. Despite this setback, Gachagua remains undeterred, asserting that his ouster was politically motivated and lacked constitutional grounding. He has since shifted his focus to challenging the impeachment in court, seeking to have it declared invalid and requesting compensation for the remainder of his term.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In his Limuru address, Gachagua downplayed the impeachment’s impact, framing it as a catalyst for his new political journey. “I am ready for the consequences of the impeachment. I will not die. No one dies after being impeached,” he stated, projecting resilience. He argued that the truth behind the accusations would eventually surface, reinforcing his belief that the process was a targeted effort to silence him. Gachagua’s legal team, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, has been actively pursuing multiple petitions, with some arguing that a High Court order from October 2024, which temporarily suspended the impeachment, remains valid.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Central to Gachagua’s 2027 bid is his newly formed Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), unveiled on May 15, 2025, in Nairobi. The party, with its slogan “Kazi na Haki” (Work and Justice), aims to prioritize citizen empowerment and equitable service delivery. Its logo, featuring a hand touching an ear, symbolizes Gachagua’s commitment to listening to grassroots concerns. The DCP has chosen green, brown, and black as its official colors, reflecting its focus on environmental sustainability, cultural heritage, and unity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The party’s launch was marred by violence, with hired thugs disrupting the event, prompting Gachagua to accuse the government of orchestrating attacks to suppress his movement. Despite these challenges, the DCP has gained traction, claiming over 1.8 million members and planning to field more than 150 candidates in the 2027 elections, including 130 National Assembly seats and 22 Senate seats. Gachagua has also expanded the party’s reach internationally, opening a North Pacific Chapter Satellite Office in Seattle during a U.S. tour in July 2025, where he engaged with the Kenyan diaspora to bolster support.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua has repeatedly claimed that he and his supporters are targets of political repression under President Ruto’s administration. He cited incidents such as a police raid on his homes in Nyeri and Nairobi, an assault on his wife during a church event in Nyeri, and tear gas attacks on his convoy at political rallies. These claims have fueled concerns about rising political violence as Kenya approaches the 2027 elections. Election observers and civil society groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission, have raised alarms over the resurgence of politically motivated attacks, questioning whether the upcoming polls will be free and fair.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In response to accusations of incitement, Gachagua has dared the government to arrest him, asserting that he has not received formal summons and would comply if presented. He has also criticized the government’s handling of security, alleging that state agencies are being used to target his allies, including Juja MP George Koimburi, who was reportedly abducted and injured, and Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, who faced arrest over alleged incitement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua’s presidential bid is positioned as a direct challenge to Ruto’s leadership, with the former deputy president accusing the president of dishonesty and administrative failures. He has rejected calls for national dialogue proposed by opposition leader Raila Odinga, insisting that change can only come through the ballot. “It is not possible to have any dialogue with William Ruto because the man is a pathological liar,” Gachagua said during a U.S. town hall, emphasizing his belief in electoral reform over negotiations.</p>
<p dir="ltr">His campaign narrative focuses on uniting Kenyans across ethnic lines, though he has faced criticism for earlier remarks that appeared to favor the Mount Kenya region. During a Baltimore town hall, Kenyan youth challenged him to adopt a more inclusive approach, warning against divisive politics. Gachagua defended himself, claiming that the ethnic narrative was a tactic to marginalize his community, but pledged to lead all Kenyans if elected.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua’s path to 2027 is fraught with legal hurdles. His petitions to overturn the impeachment face resistance, with the High Court recently rejecting a bid to recuse three judges handling the case. The Court of Appeal has also ordered Chief Justice Martha Koome to form a new bench to hear the petitions, citing irregularities in the previous panel’s formation. Despite these setbacks, Gachagua remains optimistic, arguing that the judiciary’s integrity is at stake and that his removal violated constitutional principles.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the 2027 race heats up, Gachagua’s DCP is positioning itself as a formidable force, with plans to contest by-elections and expand its grassroots presence. His early return from a U.S. tour in August 2025 to prepare for upcoming by-elections underscores his determination to build momentum. However, with political violence and legal battles looming, Gachagua’s journey to the presidency will test his resilience and ability to unify a polarized nation.</p>
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