Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that he will contest the 2027 presidential election, asserting he remains legally eligible despite his impeachment from office.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview with Citizen TV, Gachagua said he is confident of his qualifications and support as he seeks the nation’s top seat.
“Am I interested? Why not? I am a candidate to be president of the Republic of Kenya. I am qualified. I have support. I am looking for more support, and I’ll be on the ballot as a candidate for president,” Gachagua said.
When asked about concerns regarding his impeachment, Gachagua pointed out that the law allows individuals to seek elected office while appealing convictions.
“John Waluke, the MP for Sirisia, was convicted and sentenced before the elections, but he filed an appeal to the High Court. The law is very clear that the Constitution guarantees your right to fight for elected office, even if you have been convicted, as long as you have not exhausted all legal remedies available,” he explained.
The former DP stressed that the matter is still pending in the courts and that he would abide by their ultimate ruling.
“The High Court and the Court of Appeal have not. Until that has happened, I remain free to file for office. I don’t want to discuss matters before court, but even the judges will take judicial notice of what is going on,” he said.
On his fellow United opposition figures, Gachagua praised their leadership qualities and expressed commitment to coalition unity.
“Kalonzo Musyoka is a good man, a good leader. Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, and Eugene Wamalwa are all competent and capable leaders who can give good leadership. When we agree, all contenders will have to sit down and agree on one flag bearer. I hope that I’ll be the one because I have the drive, strategies and numbers,” he said.
He emphasised that the opposition must present a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto in 2027, highlighting the need to address corruption and end extrajudicial killings. He warned that any contender who undermines this unity would be betraying the national interest.
“The people of Kenya want one candidate to face a vote. We have a responsibility to restore this country, end extrajudicial killings and corruption. We need one candidate. Whoever goes astray will be a traitor to the Kenyan cause,” Gachagua said.
The former DP expressed confidence that the 2027 election would be free and fair, despite raising concerns about how the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was selected. He noted that legal reforms have made electoral rigging nearly impossible and expressed trust that Kenyans would exercise their vote decisively, without interference.
“Kenyans will wake up early and make a decisive decision. I don’t think anybody will interfere with the will of the people,” he said.
Gachagua confirmed that his party, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), will field candidates in the upcoming by-elections, including in Banisa, Mandera.
The embattled DP has since petitioned the Supreme Court to dismiss a case challenging a Court of Appeal ruling that affirmed Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ) Philomena Mwilu’s authority to constitute a bench to hear petitions on his removal.
In court papers, Gachagua’s lawyers Dudley Ochiel and Kamotho Njomo accuse Parliament of “abusing the judicial process” by taking contradictory positions on the DCJ’s powers under Article 165(4) of the Constitution.
“Parties are bound by their pleadings. The doctrine of judicial estoppel bars parties from asserting different positions to suit a case. The National Assembly is barred from asserting an inconsistent position on the DCJ’s power,” the lawyers argued.
The legal dispute follows DCJ Mwilu’s decision to appoint Justices Eric Ogolla, Anthony Mrima, and Fridah Mugambi to preside over the matter, a move later upheld by the High Court. On May 9, 2025, the Court of Appeal ruled that the bench appointed in October 2024 did not meet constitutional requirements and directed Chief Justice Martha Koome to constitute a fresh bench.
