Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared that he will challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, saying the political fallout that led to his removal from office has strengthened his resolve to seek the country’s top seat.

Speaking during a political meeting in Naivasha on Friday, Gachagua accused President Ruto of failing to fulfil promises made to Kenyans during the 2022 election campaign. He argued that the next General Election should be a referendum on the Kenya Kwanza administration’s record rather than its campaign pledges.

Gachagua told supporters that President Ruto had underestimated him by pushing him out of office, adding that his silence following their political split should not have been interpreted as weakness.

“The person you pushed out is the one who will eventually remove you from the presidency you currently hold,” Gachagua said, vowing to mobilise support against the President ahead of the 2027 polls.

The former Deputy President also questioned several development commitments he said President Ruto made to residents of Naivasha during the 2022 campaigns. He cited promises to expand piped water connections to households and upgrade key roads in the area, asking whether those projects had been implemented nearly four years into the administration’s term.

In addition, Gachagua criticised the government’s handling of employment opportunities linked to KenGen and geothermal projects around Naivasha. He alleged that public appointments and recruitment had not been conducted fairly, accusing the administration of favouring one community. Those claims were made by Gachagua and have not been independently verified.

The former Deputy President further urged President Ruto to focus on defending his government’s performance instead of criticising retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. He argued that the political contest ahead of the 2027 election should be based on the current administration’s record, saying the President should direct his attention to those seeking to challenge him rather than past leaders.

Gachagua’s latest remarks come as political activity intensifies ahead of the next General Election. Since leaving office, he has increasingly positioned himself as a leading opposition figure, holding political rallies and grassroots meetings while working with other opposition leaders to build support across the country.

President Ruto has consistently defended his administration’s record, maintaining that his government is implementing its development agenda in areas including infrastructure, affordable housing, healthcare and job creation. He has also dismissed criticism from political opponents, saying voters will ultimately judge his administration based on its performance.

Gachagua’s declaration marks one of his clearest statements yet on his political ambitions ahead of 2027 and underscores the growing rivalry between the former allies, whose relationship has deteriorated significantly since their split in government. With political realignments continuing across the country, the exchanges between the two leaders are expected to remain a prominent feature of Kenya’s political landscape in the run-up to the next General Election.