Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday escalated his onslaught against President William Ruto, declaring that the 2027 General Election will mark a “liberation moment” for Kenyans and the end of what he termed as a failed administration.
Speaking to a charged crowd in Machakos Town, Gachagua cast the next election as inevitable political change, telling supporters that the country was on the brink of a historic reset.
“It is a matter of time,” he said. “Our National Anthem will be sung again with the same tune but a different hope since independence.”
In a speech laced with symbolism and defiance, Gachagua portrayed the August 10, 2027 polls as more than just an election, but a national turning point that would restore institutions he claimed have been weakened under Ruto’s leadership.
“The freshness of the change and liberation of the 10th of August 2027 is not a matter of if, but when,” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
He accused the current administration of eroding public institutions, undermining the civil service, and weakening adherence to the rule of law — themes that have become central to his recent political messaging.
“Our institutions will be back again, our civil service will be respected again, the respect for the rule of law will never be doubtful,” Gachagua said. “Kenyans will get their education and healthcare systems back and working.”
The Machakos rally is part of Gachagua’s widening political offensive across the country, as he seeks to position himself as a central figure in the emerging opposition ahead of 2027. His recent tours have targeted both traditional opposition zones and regions considered swing votes, signaling a strategy to build a broad national coalition.
His remarks come against the backdrop of an intensifying political fallout with Ruto, his former ally, with the two now locked in a bitter rivalry that has reshaped Kenya’s political landscape. Gachagua has increasingly accused the government of mismanagement, corruption, and failing to address the rising cost of living — issues that continue to dominate public discourse.
Analysts say his messaging is deliberately crafted to tap into growing public frustration, while framing himself as a reformist alternative promising institutional stability and economic relief.
At the same time, his invocation of “liberation” echoes past political transitions in Kenya, suggesting an attempt to rally voters around a narrative of reclaiming the state from what he portrays as executive overreach.
Despite the sharp criticism, the government has consistently dismissed such claims, insisting that it remains focused on delivering its development agenda and stabilising the economy.
Saturday’s rally drew large crowds, with chants and slogans punctuating Gachagua’s speech as he urged supporters to remain united and mobilised in the run-up to the next election cycle.
“Thank you Machakos Town for your energy this evening,” he said. “God bless Machakos County, God bless Kenya.”
