Gachagua to Ruto: Mt Kenya could back western in 2027

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at DAP-K headquarters in Nairobi/RIGATHI GACHAGUA

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said Mt Kenya is open to supporting Western Kenya in 2027 the same way it voted for President William Ruto in 2022.

Speaking at launch event of the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya headquarters in Nairobi on Monday, Gachagua said the President should not bank on western Kenya’s support in 2027.

“The same way the mountain people helped you in 2022 could be the same way we may back western Kenya in 2027,” the former DP said.

Gachagua added that Mt Kenya people could equally support Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

“The 47 per cent of his support—four million votes in Mt Kenya—is not there for him," Gachagua said.

"Raila had Wiper, and its is not there there. Mulembe Nation is not there, and so is Kisii. He is stuck."

He said people from Mt Kenya have taken a different political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging opposition leaders to stay united.

“When people cannot listen to your condolences, you know its over,” he explained.

“Our work is very simple, it is to stay together and unite our people.”

The former DP regretted that some leaders termed him as tribal during Ruto’s last week’s tour of Western.

“I have been called tribal, but before nobody saw me as tribal. They don't want me to help Mulembe. When we voted in the last general election, we knew we were not voting based on tribalism. Some 87 per cent voted for Ruto, and 13 per cent voted for Raila, who we also knew is not a Kikuyu. We had Waihiga Mwaure, and we never voted for him,” he said.

Gachagua added that some promises made to the Western region are yet to be fulfilled.

“This government promised the western Kenya 1,000 kilometres of tarmac, but that has not done that,” he said.