Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to drive President William Ruto out of State House in the August 10, 2027 General Election, warning that the political battle witnessed in Ol Kalou was only a rehearsal for a nationwide contest.
Gachagua issued the warning in a strongly worded statement shared on X on Monday, November 9, 2026, hours after Ruto launched fresh attacks against him during his tour of Kisii and Nyamira counties.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader accused the President of misleading residents of the Gusii region with development promises he claimed had not been fulfilled since the 2022 General Election.
He cited roads, water, electricity and an airport, arguing that the President had little to show residents despite returning to the region with what he described as recycled campaign promises.
“Mr 6 Months, your lies and deception can no longer fool the people of Kenya. Not a minute more, ndugu. Yesterday, I called you out for going to cheat my cousins in the Gusii Nation,” Gachagua wrote.
He also dismissed the President’s development messaging, saying political personalities should not be presented as substitutes for tangible projects.
“RiggyG is not a road in Kisii or Nyamira. Rigathi is not a water project. Gachagua is not an airport. The truthful man is not a rural electrification project,” he stated.
Gachagua threatens Ruto with Ol Kalou template
The former Deputy President turned his attention to the 2027 election, promising to replicate what he described as the Ol Kalou political template across all 290 constituencies.
He referred to the July 16, 2026 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, in which DCP candidate Sammy Waweru Ngotho defeated UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah, as a dress rehearsal for the next General Election.
Gachagua said the contest had demonstrated his political camp’s ability to challenge Ruto’s influence and warned that the next election would be more intense.
“The half dose I gave you in Olkalou was just a dress rehearsal. I am preparing the full dose to administer intravenously on 10th August 2027. You will not believe the lethargy. It will be cruel, fast and furious,” he stated.
He further claimed that his camp would apply the same approach across the country, promising to resist electoral interference, intimidation of public servants and misuse of security agencies.
“You shall vacate State House in shame and humiliation. That is my promise to you and the country!” Gachagua declared.
The DCP leader also invoked the frustrations of public servants over salaries and access to medical care, arguing that their experiences would influence their decisions at the ballot.
Ruto accuses Gachagua of extorting DCP aspirants
Ruto’s attacks on Gachagua during the Gusii tour centred on allegations that the former Deputy President was demanding money from politicians seeking elective positions through DCP.
Speaking during the launch of the Riamoni-Nyangori Road and Last Mile Connectivity project in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County, on Monday, November 9, the President described Gachagua as a “chief extortionist”.
He claimed that aspirants were required to pay money to access political opportunities within the party, alleging that some were being asked for millions of shillings.
“Wewe ndiye chief extortionist. Umefukuzwa kazini kwa sababu ya extortion. Unawaangaisha candidates wa chama yako. Kila mtu akikuja kwako lazima atoe pesa,” Ruto said.
The President cited alleged demands of Ksh100 million and Ksh20 million involving aspirants, as well as claims that individuals had to pay Ksh50,000 to access a microphone during political events.
“Sijui gavana anatoa milioni 100, sijui mwingine milioni 20. Ati mpaka hata kuchukua microphone kama hii, ati lazima ulipe 50,000,” he said.
The allegations were made by Ruto during the rally and were not independently established in the remarks provided.
President tells voters to make independent choices
Ruto also challenged Gachagua’s remarks about people attending government rallies, insisting that Kenyans should not be portrayed as having their political decisions made on their behalf.
He urged residents to exercise their right to choose leaders without being influenced by politicians claiming ownership of their support.
“Please, my friend, heshimu wananchi wa Kenya. Wewe ndiye chief extortionist,” the President said.
“Hawa wananchi ni watu wako na akili. Wao ndio wataamua nani kiongozi, nani si kiongozi.” He added.
Ruto also dismissed Gachagua’s repeated claims that he played a decisive role in his election as President in 2022, arguing that his own electoral record was stronger.
“Mimi nimechaguliwa mara saba. Wewe umejichaguliwa mara moja. Kiburi mingi na akili kidogo. Bure kabisa,” he said.
Political rivalry intensifies ahead of 2027
The exchange marks another escalation in the rivalry between the two leaders, who served together after the 2022 General Election before Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024.
Since leaving office, Gachagua has positioned himself as one of Ruto’s most vocal critics and has used DCP to mobilise support ahead of the next election.
Ruto, meanwhile, has increasingly challenged the opposition over its leadership, unity and ability to present a common presidential candidate.
The latest confrontation also comes amid disagreements among opposition leaders over coalition arrangements and the strategy for challenging the incumbent.
While Gachagua is promising a nationwide political mobilisation modelled on Ol Kalou, Ruto is questioning his leadership of DCP and accusing him of exploiting aspirants seeking political positions.
With the next General Election approaching, the dispute is increasingly centred on political influence, party leadership, development promises and who can persuade voters to back their side in 2027.
