Gachagua fires back at Ruto for saying Raila was only 2027 formidable opponent
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has fired back at President William Ruto over his statement that Raila Odinga was the only serious opponent he would have faced in the 2027 general election.
Gachagua said that Ruto’s main political challenge does not come from individuals but from the people of Kenya themselves. Speaking on Monday, November 3, 2025, during the united opposition media briefing after Ruto’s remarks, Gachagua said it was wrong for the president to dismiss others while Kenyans continue to struggle with real issues.
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“I have heard William Ruto bragging that the demise of Raila Odinga, he has no opponent. I would just like to inform him that we are not his opponents; his opponents are the people of Kenya. And the people of Kenya have gone nowhere. We are just doing what the people of Kenya want,” Gachagua stated.
The second deputy president had earlier said that he was the sole challenger capable of unseating Ruto in the next general elections.
His remarks came shortly after President Ruto told residents in Malava, Kakamega County, that Raila was the only leader who could have posed a significant challenge to his leadership in 2027. Ruto said those currently positioning themselves against him have no clear policies or ideas to drive Kenya forward. He accused them of relying on tribal politics and division instead of development plans.
‘Raila would have been my only real challenger‘
During the start of his development tour in western Kenya, President Ruto said, “Mtu mwenye ningeshindana naye ni Raila, lakini sasa hawa wengine nitawamalizia asubuhi na mapema.”
The president’s statement sparked mixed reactions in political circles, with some leaders interpreting it as a dismissal of both opposition and internal critics. Gachagua’s quick response highlights the growing political tension between him and the president. He insists that the real judgment will come not from political rivals, but from ordinary Kenyans who voted with expectations of change.
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna also dismissed President Ruto’s assertion that the late Raila Odinga was the only politician capable of challenging him in the 2027 elections, insisting the party remains strong and ready to field its own candidate.
“Mimi najua tukiamua leo hii ya kwamba tunamsimamisha party leader wetu 2027, watu wanaenda nyumbani,” he said. “Tukiamua tunasimamisha huyu Abdulswamad, ama deputy party leaders wale wengine wote, tutashinda huo uchaguzi. Tukisema SG wetu asimame kura 2027, hiyo uchaguzi tunashinda tena mapema.”
