Nairobi — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is set to launch a new political party on Tuesday in Nairobi, deepening an already bitter split with President William Ruto and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The news came from Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku Ole Kanar, a key ally of Mr. Gachagua, who declared his intention to run for office under the yet-to-be-named party. “We agreed we needed a new political vehicle,” Mr. Ole Kanar told supporters. “We’ll be unveiling our party in Nairobi, and its chairman will come from Kajiado County.”
The announcement adds a fresh twist to Kenya’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election, with Gachagua positioning himself as the face of what he calls a “national movement” one rooted in Mount Kenya but designed to cut across regional lines.
In an interview with Egesa FM on Monday, Gachagua said, “I’m launching a national party this week. It will have leaders from across the country, but it begins with Mount Kenya.”
It’s the clearest signal yet that Gachagua intends to go it alone, following months of speculation after his dramatic fallout with Ruto and eventual impeachment. While he has kept a relatively low profile since leaving office, this move marks a return to the political front lines — with sharp words for his former allies.
In a blistering resignation letter sent to the UDA Secretary General and shared with the Registrar of Political Parties, Gachagua described the party as “a betrayal of the people and the Republic.” He accused the leadership of abandoning core principles and squandering what he called “a historic opportunity to rebuild Kenya.”
The letter paints a grim picture: claims of economic decline, weakening public institutions, and a disregard for the rule of law. While UDA officials have not publicly responded, insiders close to the party dismissed Gachagua’s departure as political posturing.
“He’s trying to reinvent himself,” one senior party figure told The Standard, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But let’s not forget he was at the centre of the same administration he’s now criticizing.”
Others see Gachagua’s exit as a reflection of deeper divisions within UDA, particularly over how power and resources are shared among the coalition’s various regional blocs.
Political analyst Dr Sarah Mwangi, speaking to Nation, said the move could shift alliances, especially in Mount Kenya. “Gachagua still commands influence in that region,” she said. “If he can tap into that discontent and present a viable alternative, it could complicate things for Ruto in 2027.”
The new party’s name and platform are expected to be unveiled at Tuesday’s launch. While questions remain about its reach and viability, Gachagua’s decision sets the stage for a more fractured, and potentially more volatile, race to the next election.
For now, all eyes turn to Nairobi and what many expect will be the beginning of a new political chapter in Kenya’s ever-shifting landscape.
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