Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced plans to force by-elections for specific leaders before the 2027 general election as part of a broader plan to form a stronger opposition.

Speaking during an interview with KTN News journalist Jesse Rodgers on Monday, February 24, Gachagua revealed that several lawmakers had approached him, seeking to ditch President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party for his new party.

Gachagua noted that once the lawmakers, including prominent Members of Parliament and Senators, left UDA, they would then proceed to by-elections under his party.

However, the former Deputy President disclosed that he was yet to unveil his new political party due to strategic reasons, including delays in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua(center) and Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa and Githunguri Mp Gathoni Wamuchomba during a past event in October 2024.

Karungo Thang'wah

“Our political party is ready, and for strategic reasons, I did not want to unveil it before May. But I must say one of the reasons we wanted the IEBC to be constituted,” Gachagua said.

“This is because quite a number of Senators and MPs want to quit UDA, join our new party, and go for by-elections. We should unveil the party once the IEBC has been reconstituted,” he added.

According to Gachagua, as of February this year, about 139 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) had already pledged their support for his new party and were ready to quit UDA and proceed to by-elections.

The former Deputy President further revealed that the decision to form a new political party followed consultations with several leaders across the country since December last year.

However, he stated that due to the large number of leaders seeking to join his new party, he was forced to extend the duration of consultations to February while awaiting the reconstitution of the IEBC.

Speaking on his future political plans, Gachagua said he would soon hold a meeting with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to seek advice on how to form and maintain a strong political party.

“I would be going to ODM for benchmarking. I must talk to Raila Odinga about how he crafted the political machine. I have two years to create one,” Gachagua announced.

"I will make sure that in whatever coalition we go with whoever, our interests are well anchored through a watertight agreement. One of the burdens I carry, which is very heavy and weighs me down sometimes, is how foolish I feel that I was deceived by Ruto."

A photo collage of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

PCS

Raila Odinga