Laikipia East MP and Service Party (TSP) leader Mwangi Kiunjuri has publicly challenged Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua to confirm whether he intends to run for the presidency in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in an interview with a local vernacular TV station on Sunday, February 8, 2026, Kiunjuri questioned Gachagua’s eligibility to contest for the top seat. According to Kiunjuri, the former deputy president’s impeachment bars him from running for president, making him ineligible until 2034.
“Rigathi says he listens to the ground. Why does he selectively listen to the ground? If he really listens to the ground, let him tell us in the first place whether he will be vying for the presidential position in 2027,” Kiunjuri said.
The Service Party leader emphasized that transparency from political aspirants is crucial for informed voter decisions. He suggested that Gachagua should openly clarify his intentions rather than leaving the public guessing, especially given the constitutional constraints following his impeachment.
This challenge highlights the growing political tension as Kenya prepares for the 2027 general elections, with several leaders yet to formally announce their presidential ambitions. Kiunjuri’s call for clarity is likely to spark debates within political circles about eligibility, succession, and the importance of public declarations by prospective candidates.
As the political climate heats up, Kenyans are keenly watching leaders like Rigathi Gachagua and others to declare their intentions for the country’s top seat, setting the stage for a potentially competitive presidential race.
