Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has promised to run a realistic presidential campaign. He says his 2027 bid will not be based on promises of new roads, dams, or electricity projects. Instead, it will focus on restoring Kenya to the standards seen during Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
Seeking Blessings at Home
Speaking during a church service in Nyeri on Sunday, September 14, 2025, Gachagua said he had returned home to seek blessings before launching his campaign.
“I came home yesterday to ask for blessings before I begin this journey. As I started this journey, I needed blessings from home,” he told the congregation.
No False Promises
The former DP distanced himself from what he described as “lies” often told during campaigns.
“I don’t want to promise the country lies that I will build roads, dams, or electricity projects if Kenyans elect me as president,” he said.
Gachagua noted that Kenyans are tired of empty promises. His campaign, he stressed, will focus on improving the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
Focus on Restoration
According to Gachagua, many public services have collapsed since Kibaki left office. He vowed to restore them.
“I only want to restore the Kenyan state to where Mwai Kibaki left us,” he said.
Healthcare is top on his agenda. He promised to stock hospitals with enough drugs and equipment. Education is also a priority. He pledged to strengthen free education programs introduced during Kibaki’s era.
Restoring Dignity of the Payslip
Gachagua also addressed the issue of high taxes and reduced incomes.
“Rigathi Gachagua wants to restore the dignity of the payslip. Most Kenyans have had their pay slips raided, leaving them with no purchasing power,” he said.
He promised tax reforms to ease the burden on workers and increase their purchasing power.
A Campaign of Realism
With the 2027 elections still two years away, Gachagua is positioning himself as a candidate of truth and restoration. His message is clear: no flashy promises, just a return to the basics that matter most to Kenyans.
