Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is gearing up to trigger a wave of by-elections, as key lawmakers plan to ditch President William Ruto’s UDA and rally behind his soon-to-be-launched political party.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, February 24, Gachagua revealed that several MPs and Senators have already signaled their intent to defect, pending the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Gachagua’s Strategy: A New Political Force
“Our political party is ready. For strategic reasons, I chose to delay its unveiling until after May. But one key reason is the need to have the IEBC fully constituted,” he stated.
Once the electoral body is in place, lawmakers defecting from UDA will contest fresh by-elections under Gachagua’s party, reshaping Kenya’s opposition landscape ahead of 2027.
Gachagua disclosed that since December, he has been consulting leaders nationwide. Already, 139 MCAs have pledged allegiance to his yet-to-be-named party, waiting for the official IEBC green light to formalize their defection.
Consulting Raila: Learning from the Best?
In a surprising move, Gachagua also revealed plans to consult ODM leader Raila Odinga on party organization.
“I will be going to ODM for benchmarking. I must talk to Raila Odinga about how he crafted his political machine. I have two years to create one,” he said.
Gachagua Regrets Backing Ruto
Looking back, Gachagua expressed deep regret over his alliance with President Ruto, vowing never to enter another political coalition without ironclad agreements.
“One of the burdens I carry, which weighs me down heavily, is how foolish I feel for being deceived by Ruto,” he admitted.
With a new party, a wave of defections, and a clear opposition agenda, Gachagua is positioning himself as a formidable force in Kenyan politics—one that could reshape alliances and challenge Ruto’s grip on power in 2027.
