Gachagua Says He Is Setting the Agenda for Ruto Ahead of 2027
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that his political activities are forcing President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to return to their traditional political strongholds as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the DCP offices in Nairobi, Gachagua said his recent tours across different parts of the country have put pressure on the Kenya Kwanza leadership, arguing that President Ruto is now responding to the growing influence of the opposition.
“I am actually now setting the agenda for William Ruto,” Gachagua said, claiming that his visits to various regions were influencing the President’s political movements.
Gachagua cited his recent visit to Narok as an example, saying President Ruto subsequently travelled to the area. He also pointed to planned visits to parts of the Rift Valley, arguing that his political mobilisation was forcing the President to reconnect with voters in regions that supported him in the 2022 General Election.
The former Deputy President further claimed that he had politically “confined” President Ruto to his home region, saying his objective was to continue expanding the DCP’s presence across the country.
Gachagua also criticised the state of development in areas such as the Rift Valley, arguing that residents continue to face challenges including poor roads, inadequate water supply and limited access to electricity despite the region’s strong support for the government.
Meanwhile, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala raised concerns over what he described as a political scheme targeting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Malala alleged that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and other government officials could be attempting to create public pressure for Kanja’s removal from office.
According to Malala, such a move would potentially create an opportunity for the appointment of a new police chief who could oversee the country’s security arrangements during the election period.
He warned against what he described as attempts to create a security leadership dominated by individuals from one community, arguing that Kenya should avoid an electoral environment where key security positions are perceived to be controlled along ethnic lines.
The allegations come as President Ruto intensifies his political tours across the country, with the 2027 General Election increasingly shaping political activities by both the government and opposition.
Gachagua, meanwhile, continues to position the DCP as a major political force and has stepped up efforts to expand its influence beyond Mount Kenya as he seeks to build a broader national political base.
The latest exchange between the DCP leadership and the Kenya Kwanza administration adds to the growing political contest over regional influence, government performance and control of the country’s political narrative ahead of 2027.
