Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he holds no resentment towards Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for supporting his impeachment, arguing that the political consequences of his removal have weakened President William Ruto’s influence in the Mount Kenya region. Speaking during an interview, Gachagua described his impeachment as a blessing in disguise, saying the experience had created an opportunity for the United Opposition to strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 General Election. Gachagua was removed from office on October 17, 2024, after 54 senators voted to uphold five of the 11 charges brought against him.
Gachagua Explains Why He Forgives Sifuna
Gachagua said Sifuna acted in the interests of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which was then in the opposition, and maintained that the senator’s decision should be understood within the political circumstances of the time. The former Deputy President disclosed that he discussed the matter with Sifuna when the Nairobi senator visited his Wamunyoro home on October 20. During the meeting, Gachagua questioned Sifuna about how he reconciled his role in the impeachment with their current cooperation in the United Opposition.
According to Gachagua, Sifuna explained that ODM had considered Gachagua a political opponent because he was serving under Ruto, who had defeated the opposition in the 2022 presidential election. Gachagua said he accepted the explanation, adding that he would have made a similar decision had he been in Sifuna’s position at the time.
He argued that ODM saw the removal of the former Deputy President as an opportunity to weaken Ruto politically by separating him from a key ally who had helped mobilise support in the Mount Kenya region during the 2022 election campaign.
Impeachment Deepened Rift Between Ruto and Mount Kenya
Gachagua has repeatedly maintained that his removal from office contributed to the growing political distance between Ruto and sections of the Mount Kenya electorate. As Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 General Election, Gachagua played a significant role in consolidating support for the Kenya Kwanza presidential ticket in the region. He now argues that the President will face difficult questions from Mount Kenya voters over the decision to remove him from the Deputy President’s office.
Gachagua said Ruto would need to explain why the region’s political representative, whom residents had helped elect, was removed before completing his term. He contrasted the situation with voters in Western and Nyanza, saying they had not been in the same political camp as him and therefore did not share the same expectations of loyalty. The former Deputy President maintained that his main grievance was not with opposition figures such as Sifuna, but with former allies in the Kenya Kwanza coalition whom he believes abandoned their political understanding.
Sifuna and Gachagua Now Work Together in Opposition
The relationship between Gachagua and Sifuna has changed significantly since the impeachment. While they previously belonged to opposing political camps, the two are now part of the broader United Opposition, which is seeking to agree on a common presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027. Sifuna, who served as ODM secretary general during the impeachment proceedings, has since disagreed with sections of the party leadership over its decision to support Ruto’s re-election bid.
The disagreement intensified following the death of former ODM leader Raila Odinga in October 2025 and culminated in Sifuna’s removal as secretary general. Sifuna has since emerged as a potential contender for the United Opposition’s presidential ticket as coalition leaders continue discussions on their political strategy. Gachagua’s willingness to work with Sifuna, despite their past differences, signals an effort to prioritise opposition unity over previous political disagreements.
Gachagua Opens DCP Doors to Former Kenya Kwanza Allies
Gachagua also said his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) was open to former Kenya Kwanza leaders and supporters who have fallen out with the ruling coalition and wish to join his political movement. He maintained that such individuals would not face special vetting, provided they had reconsidered their political positions and were willing to align themselves with the wishes of voters. According to Gachagua, those seeking to join DCP would only be required to pay the prescribed party membership fees and formally declare their decision to join.
He said the party was prepared to welcome individuals who believed their previous political alignment no longer reflected the interests or expectations of the electorate. Gachagua’s remarks point to an attempt to widen DCP’s support base by attracting politicians who previously worked with the President but have since distanced themselves from the ruling coalition.
Gachagua Urges Opposition Leaders to Put Differences Aside
Although Gachagua initially expressed interest in contesting the presidency, he has increasingly presented himself as a figure seeking to bring different opposition leaders together. He has held engagements with leaders from rival political camps as discussions continue over who should carry the coalition’s presidential flag in 2027. The former Deputy President acknowledged that competition for the ticket could create disagreements but insisted that opposition leaders must be willing to work together if they hope to defeat the incumbent.
He said he was prepared to cooperate even with those who supported his removal, arguing that the opposition needed a broad alliance rather than political divisions driven by past disputes. Gachagua described the impeachment as an experience that had placed him in a stronger political position, saying he was now better positioned to participate in shaping the opposition’s strategy. With the 2027 General Election approaching, the question of whether the United Opposition can settle on a common candidate without internal divisions remains central to its efforts to challenge Ruto’s administration.
