Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has declared that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is ineligible to run for any political office, citing constitutional grounds tied to his alleged impeachment. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Sifuna maintained that the Kenyan Constitution bars any impeached individual from contesting for office, dismissing any discussion of Gachagua as a potential 2027 presidential candidate.
“Former DP Gachagua is impeached; he cannot run. I do not understand why people consider him a viable candidate. The Constitution says once you are impeached, you cannot run,” Sifuna asserted.
Sifuna further argued that Gachagua’s political role now benefits the opposition. He stated that by splitting votes in the Mt. Kenya region, which heavily backed President William Ruto in 2022, Gachagua weakens the incumbent’s re-election chances. From an ODM perspective, this shift in support increases opposition leader Raila Odinga’s chances of winning in 2027 should he choose to vie and maintain his 2022 vote tally.
“The value proposition for Gachagua for me, from an ODM perspective, is that he is taking away votes that helped beat us in 2022. If Raila Odinga were to receive the same number of votes he garnered in 2022 and William Ruto loses Mt. Kenya, Raila will be President,” he stated.
Sifuna’s remarks come in response to Gachagua’s own bold claim during his U.S. tour that he stands the best chance of defeating Ruto in 2027. However, Gachagua also noted he would step aside if a consensus candidate from the opposition was favored over him.
Meanwhile, DAP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala countered Sifuna’s assertions, arguing that Gachagua remains legally eligible to contest. He clarified that the impeachment issue is still before the courts, and until it is conclusively resolved and all appeals are exhausted, Gachagua retains his political rights.
“As it stands, Rigathi Gachagua qualifies to run for any office,” Malala stated.
The matter now remains in legal limbo, as the courts determine the final verdict on Gachagua’s political future.
