We don’t need Raila to win 2027 elections – Gachagua

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that the opposition does not need the support of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to win the next general elections.

Speaking on Weru TV on Sunday, Gachagua said that he sees no possibility of Raila teaming up with them, since he works with President William Ruto.

He was responding to a question on what would happen if Raila decided to work with the opposition.

The former DP insisted that they do not need Raila and that they are fine as the opposition.

He said the opposition’s greatest asset is the Kenyans in formal employment whom he said are about 3.5 million and suffer the most over deductions on their pay slips.

Gachagua said once the opposition gets into office they will reduce these burdensome taxes including the Housing levy and allow counties to rent out the affordable houses to repay Kenyans.

“Sijui vile ataamua (Raila Odinga), naona wako pamoja. Kusema ukweli hatumuhitaji, tuko sawa. Vile kenya inakaa watu wa payslip ni 3.5 million na hawa ndio wanaumia sana,” Gachagua said.

This loosely translates to, “I don't know what he (Raila Odinga) will decide, I think they are together. To be honest, we don't need him, we are fine. As it stands in Kenya, there are 3.5 million people on pay slips and these are the ones who are suffering the most.”

Gachagua said that he is working with other like-minded leaders, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i whose name has been in the media lately over plans to vie for presidency in 2027. He has, however, not publicly made his intentions known to the public.

Others are Martha Karua (PLP) and Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) among other leaders from the Mt Kenya region and other parts of the country.

The former DP further noted that impeached or not, he remains fully committed and is in the politics of saving the country from the current leaders.

“I was not impeached by the people. I was impeached by MPs who did not elect me. Impeached or not, I am still a leader and that is why people listen to me everywhere I go. I am in the politics of saving Kenya.”

He is expected to launch his political party in May.