Allies say Gachagua's comeback after retreat to shape 2027 race

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is for the third time retreating to his Wamunyoro residence for a 45-day retreat that insiders say could change the country's political landscape ahead of next year’s polls.

In the last two occasions, Gachagua has come back politically recharged. The first time he retreated was in May, 2024, when he was still the Deputy President, avoiding State events for seven days.

During that time, claims of a strained relationship with President William Ruto were rife. Only Interior Cabinet Secretary Kiphcumba Murkomen (then Transport) and the late Raila Odinga were available to see off Uganda President Yoweri Museveni after his State visit. Ruto was in Rwanda at the time and it was expected that Gachagua would escort Museveni.

"I had taken seven days away for prayers and fasting, for reflection and meditation in the heart of Mt Kenya Forest," he said.

Upon his return, Gachagua openly diverged from the government’s position, championed the one-man-one-vote-one-shilling mantra, a move that those in government opposed, claiming he had waged war against the President.

He opposed policy directives such as demolitions, Finance Bills and started mobilising his community while claiming that he could see darkness ahead if the community failed to unite.

After his impeachment in October, 2024, he again retreated to Wamunyoro, converting the residence into the nerve centre of his post-impeachment political activities. That period culminated in the formation of the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), which he positioned as a national party with strong roots in the Mt Kenya region.

In his latest move, Gachagua has announced he will spend six weeks and three days in extensive consultations with diverse Kenyan groups — men, women, youth, Gen Z, clergy, professionals, business leaders, and community elders.

“The choice of a single presidential candidate to face William Ruto is now of imperative importance,” Gachagua said. “I have been instructed to hold consultations with Kenyans and seek the mandate to engage my colleagues in the united alternative to agree on one presidential flag bearer.”

He reiterated his readiness to lead: “I remain hopeful that I will be the candidate for the presidency. I have the capacity, the infrastructure, presidential experience, networks, and mobilisation muscle.”

Sources within the DCP say the retreat is designed to build momentum for Gachagua’s formal declaration as the party’s presidential candidate. DCP Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs Peter Mbae stated that once the retreat ends, the party will officially unveil Gachagua as its flag bearer.

“Nothing, including claims that he is not eligible, will stop us,” said Dr Mbae.

The retreat will also focus on protecting DCP votes in the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election scheduled for July 16.

Another party source explained that Gachagua wants to use the period to rally his supporters and counter narratives from State operatives urging Mt Kenya voters to back President Ruto for continuity of development projects. The source added that the former DP is preparing strong non-negotiable demands in case he decides to support another opposition candidate.

Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru said Gachagua is expected to emerge from the conclave with two clear positions: either announcing his own presidential bid or setting firm conditions for supporting any other opposition flag bearer.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has been vocal in backing Gachagua’s primacy in the opposition, arguing that “a person with five million votes cannot deputise one with three million votes.”

He described Gachagua as “the engine” of the united opposition.

Gachagua’s latest retreat comes shortly after the High Court upheld his impeachment, with many observers seeing it as a calculated move to consolidate his influence and prepare for what could be a decisive phase in Kenya’s 2027 political contest.