Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his campaign for the 2027 elections, vowing to “restore” Kenya to the economic and social stability it enjoyed under the late President Mwai Kibaki.
Speaking at a church service in Nyeri County on Sunday, Gachagua said the country had suffered under successive administrations and accused President William Ruto of presiding over a worsening crisis marked by ballooning debt, struggling public services and disillusionment among citizens.
“If Kenyans elect me as president, I do not want to promise lies,” he said. “I only want to restore the Kenyan state to where Mwai Kibaki left us. The country is broke with a debt of 12 trillion shillings. Telling you I will build dams, roads and electricity with such debt is deception.”
The Democracy for the Citizens Party leader promised to scrap President Ruto’s flagship Housing Levy on his first day in office, arguing that the scheme had eroded workers’ pay while failing to deliver benefits.
He pledged to transfer all state-built houses to county governments, who would collect rent to compensate those whose salaries were deducted.
Gachagua also promised to overhaul the health sector by ensuring hospitals are stocked with medicines and the National Health Insurance Fund remains functional. He said he would restore free education and revisit the university funding model introduced by the Ruto administration.
Turning to politics, Gachagua questioned Ruto’s competence, claiming the president’s academic qualifications had not translated into tangible results three years into his tenure.
The opposition figure insisted that the United Opposition coalition would back a single flagbearer in 2027, whether it is Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i or Eugene Wamalwa. “How I wish they choose me,” he added. “I will ensure Ruto is a one-term president.”
