Gachagua reveals biggest disappointment if not picked to face Ruto

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that his biggest disappointment ahead of the 2027 elections would be missing the chance to face President William Ruto in the presidential debates.

Speaking during Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party special national delegation on Friday, September 26, 2025, Gachagua said the debates would give him a platform to take on the head of state head-on, expose his weaknesses, and decisively outshine him, describing it as the one moment he would deeply regret if denied.

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“But I will have only one disappointment if I am not chosen, just one, which is that I will miss the opportunity to face President William Ruto in the presidential debates. Because if I face him in the debates, I will roast him so badly. That’s the only disappointment I would have. Otherwise, we will be available to do what we must do,” he said.

The former deputy president earlier said he was eligible to run for the presidency in 2027 despite ongoing court battles.

Gachagua, however, emphasised that this personal disappointment does not diminish his commitment to the opposition’s collective mission.

He assured that he and his supporters are ready to back any candidate that the opposition collectively agrees is best suited to face Ruto, highlighting that the unity of the opposition remains a top priority.

“Martha, I want to assure you that if you convince us you are the candidate, I will campaign for you the way I campaigned for Ruto. My supporters and I are ready to support anybody we agree is the one to face William Ruto in 2027, and I will do it very happily,” Gachagua added.

He cited Martha Karua as an example of a candidate whose leadership qualities are beyond reproach, saying she cannot steal from Kenyans or order violence against citizens, including young people.

Gachagua underscored the importance of credibility and integrity in opposition candidates, signalling the type of leadership he believes should be presented to the electorate.

Elsewhere, leaders from the Mt. Kenya region have publicly endorsed Gachagua to run for president in the 2027 elections.

“I’m sure everybody knows Martha Karua, if elected president, cannot steal from Kenyans. She also cannot order people to be shot in the leg. She cannot order the killing of Gen Zs.”

Gachagua also echoed Karua’s message to opposition figures, urging them to campaign vigorously, sell their vision, and convince Kenyans of their capability to lead.

He stressed that it is the responsibility of the people and party supporters to evaluate candidates on merit and collectively decide who is best positioned to contest Ruto in 2027.

“Let me say, let nobody worry that Martha here is a presidential candidate; Kalonzo here is, me, I am, Eugene Wamalwa also is. As Martha has put it, let everybody go out there and mobilise for votes, go sell your candidature and your vision, and convince Kenyans that you can be president. And then, when we sit, we shall sacrifice for this country to make sure that we have one candidate who will face Ruto,” Gachagua said.