Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as the opposition's strongest bet to deny President William Ruto a second term, according to Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who says the former deputy president has already put the Head of State in a difficult political position.
Methu made the remarks on Saturday as the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) continued its mobilisation activities in Nakuru County, where he credited Gachagua with building enough political strength to lead the challenge against Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
“You know this Rigathi Gachagua has cornered William Ruto. He has him in a tight spot,” Methu said.
The senator said Gachagua's political journey since falling out with Ruto had placed him at the centre of efforts to rally opposition parties and voters against the President.
The two leaders were once political allies, with Ruto and Gachagua running together in the 2022 General Election before their relationship broke down and ended with Gachagua's impeachment in October 2024.
Since his removal from office, Gachagua has increasingly positioned himself as an opponent of the administration and has called for the mobilisation of Mount Kenya voters to support efforts to defeat Ruto in 2027.
Methu said the DCP's performance in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election was an important indicator of what Gachagua could achieve in a national contest.
He described the party's landslide victory as a test that demonstrated the former deputy president's ability to mobilise voters, arguing that the same approach could be applied in the presidential election.
Opposition parties have yet to agree on one candidate who will face Ruto in 2027, leaving the question of who will lead the challenge unresolved.
“I'm telling you, the leader who will take William Ruto to Sugoi, is this Rigathi Gachagua,” he said.
Methu further called on opposition supporters to remain focused beyond casting their ballots, saying the protection of votes would be just as important in determining the outcome of the next election.
“Kazi ni kupiga na kulinda kura, kupiga na kulinda kura. Wacha hivyo wewe Kipchumba Murkomen ati unatuambia tupige kura na twende nyumbani. Nyumbani tunaenda kufanya nini?”
(The task is to vote and protect the vote, vote and protect the vote. Forget that, Kipchumba Murkomen, telling us to vote and go home. What are we going home to do?)
His comments came as DCP entered the second day of its Nakuru mobilisation campaign, with Gachagua and other party leaders visiting several centres as they seek to strengthen the party's presence ahead of the 2027 polls.
The team started the day's programme in Rongai town before heading to Molo. From there, the leaders proceeded to Elburgon and Njoro Posta before travelling to Nakuru town.
The tour is expected to end with the opening of a new DCP office in Nakuru, which the party plans to use to coordinate its activities and build stronger grassroots structures across the county.