Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken about his life after impeachment, saying the event that forced him out of office turned out to be a blessing in disguise. According to Gachagua, his rivals who orchestrated his impeachment thought it would be the end of his political career. However, he has used this period to rebuild himself outside government and establish himself as a leading voice ahead of the 2027 election. Gachagua made these remarks during a community engagement event in Spokane, Washington, USA.
Gachagua, now the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), addressed an engagement with Kenyans living in Massachusetts, Boston, on Friday, October 2, 2026. He claimed that those behind his impeachment publicly boasted that he would be forgotten in two weeks. However, Gachagua appears to have celebrated his status as a relevant force shaping conversations in Kenya. He cited his ongoing trip in America, where billionaires and millionaires now line up to listen to him.
Gachagua contrasted his current state to the prediction that he would simply fade away. “A man who was killed and buried is now all over America, meeting millionaires and billionaires eager to listen to him, moving from one state to another, and Kenyans waiting for his every word every day,” he said. This reflects a significant transformation from a former deputy president fighting to survive politically.
Gachagua's transformation began when he retreated to his Wamunyoro home after what he presented as betrayal by President William Ruto. From there, a new centre of influence quietly emerged to challenge Ruto’s popularity. The registration of DCP gave Gachagua a new political home, and he invited leaders from the region to join the outfit. He gradually transformed himself into an opposition figure capable of commanding attention far beyond his traditional political backyard.
Gachagua has used his political survival to construct a new identity outside the structures of government. He has blended grassroots mobilisation with political alliances, public engagements, and an increasingly active communication strategy. This approach has kept Ruto on toes as the country inches closer to the 2027 General Election. His meetings with local leaders and grassroots supporters have been accompanied by calls for the region to reconsider its political relationship with Ruto.
Gachagua's new approach has positioned him as a national opposition figure rather than a politician confined to his traditional support base. He has built bridges beyond Mount Kenya, establishing himself as one of the leading voices ahead of the 2027 election. This development has significant implications for Kenya's politics, particularly in the Mount Kenya region.
Gachagua's reflection on his life after impeachment demonstrates his resilience and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. His claims of billionaires lining up to listen to him underscore his renewed relevance in Kenyan politics. As the country approaches the 2027 General Election, Gachagua's new political identity and alliances will likely play a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape.
Key points
- Gachagua claims billionaires now line up to listen to him after his impeachment.
- He has established himself as a leading voice ahead of the 2027 election.
- Gachagua has transformed himself into an opposition figure capable of commanding attention far beyond his traditional political backyard.
