Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is set to tour Kakamega on Saturday, May 24, 2025, in a high-stakes political mission to woo the Western Kenya vote bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections. This marks his first visit to the Luhya-dominated region since the launch of his new political outfit, the Democratic Change Party (DCP), on May 15.
Gachagua will be hosted by former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who now serves as DCP’s deputy party leader. The visit comes just days before DCP’s official national launch, set for June 3 at the Kasarani Gymnasium in Nairobi, where the party is expected to unveil its roadmap to the 2027 polls before a crowd of over 5,000 delegates.
With Malala acting as the bridge between Gachagua and the Luhya Nation, Saturday’s visit is being seen as a litmus test of Gachagua’s appeal in a region that has traditionally leaned towards opposition politics. “Western Kenya is ready for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” Malala said, expressing confidence in the region’s reception.
Gachagua’s campaign faces early hurdles, including growing discontent over President William Ruto’s controversial sugar sector reforms. Many Western leaders have voiced strong opposition to the proposed leasing of four state-owned sugar mills, citing inadequate public engagement. The reforms have sparked political tension, potentially creating an opening for opposition leaders and new political entrants like Gachagua.
Meanwhile, the region’s politics remain volatile. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, a known critic of Kenya Kwanza and a potential Gachagua ally, was recently arrested on graft charges, prompting protests. Similarly, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya another DAP-K figure and 2027 presidential hopeful was charged with incitement. While Salasya’s participation in Saturday’s rally remains unclear, his presence could add to the tour’s significance.
Gachagua is keen to unite the Luhya vote and align it with Mt Kenya’s political machinery. “The Mulembe Nation has the numbers to lead, not beg,” he said in a recent radio interview, calling for greater political unity in the region.
Saturday’s rally will serve as a political barometer for Gachagua, potentially redefining Western Kenya’s electoral landscape.
