Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has re-emerged as a central figure in Kenya’s opposition politics, eclipsing veteran figures and energising a once-disjointed movement. His six-week tour of the United States, followed by a dramatic return on Thursday, has cemented his role as the new political fulcrum challenging President William Ruto’s administration.
Far from fading into political obscurity after his impeachment in October, the former Mathira MP has reinvented himself. From abroad, Gachagua maintained a steady stream of commentary critical of the government, keeping officials in Nairobi on edge and sustaining media attention. His allies in the Democratic Change Party (DCP) and opposition formations held rallies across Mt Kenya, often clashing with security forces.
His return to a rousing reception at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which paralysed Mombasa Road, drew comparisons to Raila Odinga’s iconic “Baba While You Were Away” homecomings. The government’s heavy deployment of security underscored the threat his rising influence now poses.
Gachagua’s growing clout is rooted in the Mt Kenya region’s restless electorate an estimated 4.8 million voters. Political analyst Martin Andati notes that Gachagua has become “the glue that holds the opposition together,” forging ties with Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Justin Muturi and even Fred Matiang’i. His “one-term” campaign against Ruto has galvanised opposition ranks and sharpened his kingmaker profile.
He has also moved quickly to institutionalise his influence, founding a new party and preparing to field candidates in upcoming by-elections in Malava, Banisa and Mbeere North.
Still, critics warn that his reliance on the Mt Kenya bloc may limit his national appeal. Communist Party Marxist-Kenya general secretary Booker Omole cautions that Gachagua’s politics, heavily framed around regional grievances, may not be sustainable in the long term.
Nonetheless, his rapid rise has surprised many. Blogger Pauline Njoroge observed that he is “way more powerful and influential as an ordinary civilian and opposition leader than he was as Deputy President.”
As the 2027 elections inch closer, Gachagua’s ability to unite the opposition and mobilise Mt Kenya will likely determine whether he remains a disruptor or evolves into the face of a broader national movement.
