Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election, positioning himself as the only opposition candidate capable of unseating President William Ruto.

Speaking during a tour of the Mt Kenya region on Saturday, Gachagua announced that he has “accepted the call by Kenyans to serve the country in the capacity of president.”

“I have come home to say that I have accepted to vie for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya,” Gachagua told supporters.

“Kenyans have looked and said the only leader who has the ability to remove Ruto from office is Riggy G, and I have come home to seek your blessings.”

Gachagua’s announcement comes as opposition party leaders continue deliberations on a joint candidate to challenge the current administration.

Promises to the Nation

During his roadside stopovers, Gachagua, who was accompanied by a host of leaders from his party, the Democratic Convergence Party (DCP), outlined his key policy priorities should he be elected.

First on his agenda is the restoration of genuinely free education, a program he credited to the late President Mwai Kibaki.

He argued that many families still face significant financial burdens despite the government’s promise of free basic education.

“The first thing I will do if elected president is to ensure that our children truly access free education, as was introduced by the late Mwai Kibaki,” Gachagua pledged.

He also promised to implement widespread reforms in the health sector, including reviving free maternity care to alleviate the financial strain on families and improve maternal and child health outcomes nationwide.

Gachagua further declared his intention to abolish the housing levy introduced by the current administration, arguing that it places an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.

“These are the burdens we must lift from Kenyans if we want a nation where citizens thrive,” he said, suggesting that scrapping the levy would provide much-needed economic relief.