Gachagua: Opposition does not need Uhuru’s money to defeat Ruto

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is financing opposition efforts to remove President William Ruto from power, insisting that the push for political change is being driven by Kenyans.

Gachagua said the opposition did not require financial backing from the former president to mount a challenge against the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We don't need money but Kenyans will send you home,” Gachagua said.

He was speaking on Sunday during a church service at PCEA Rev. Samuel Marima Memorial Church in Gatundu South, Kiambu County.

Gachagua said the movement seeking political change was a mass initiative driven by ordinary Kenyans rather than political financing from Uhuru.

“Nasikia kwamba Uhuru is sponsoring us to campaign against you. Uhuru is not sponsoring us, we don't need any sponsorship, this is a mass movement for change which does not need funding,” he said.

His remarks come amid growing political realignments and renewed debate over the role of former leaders in Kenya's 2027 succession politics.

Gachagua distances Uhuru from opposition politics

Gachagua also defended Uhuru against what he described as attempts to drag the former president into the current political contest.

He urged politicians to leave Uhuru alone, arguing that the former president had completed his political mandate and retired from active leadership.

“Uhuru Kenyatta asiguzwe na mtu yeyote. Alindwe na atetewe na apatiwe amani. Uhuru alifanya kazi yake na akastaafu,” Gachagua said.

He further told Ruto that Uhuru was not a candidate in the next election and that the President should focus on his actual political opponent.

“Nimemwambia Ruto unauliza Uhuru nini and he's not a candidate in the next election. I am your main opponent,” Gachagua said.

‘Kenyans will send you home’

The former Deputy President said the opposition had sufficient public support to challenge the Ruto administration in 2027.

He argued that the fate of the current government would ultimately be determined by voters rather than political financiers.

Gachagua's remarks come as opposition figures intensify their criticism of the Ruto administration over the economy, cost of living and the government's overall record since taking office.

Gachagua attacks government’s economic narrative

During the same church address, Gachagua challenged Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi's argument that increased consumption of soft drinks could be an indication that household incomes were improving.

Gachagua instead pointed to church offerings as a more direct indicator of the financial difficulties facing ordinary Kenyans.

“If you want to know if the economy is doing well, ask the pastor about the offering; it will tell you how the economy is moving,” he said.

He argued that many households continued to struggle despite government claims of improving economic indicators.

Calls for new leadership in 2027

Gachagua also urged Kenyans to prepare for a change of leadership in the 2027 General Election.

He said the country needed new leadership capable of addressing its challenges and restoring what he described as the standards achieved under Uhuru's administration.

“Let us get in line. We look for new leadership that will fix our country and return it to where Uhuru Kenyatta left us,” Gachagua said.

The former Deputy President's remarks add to the increasingly competitive political environment ahead of the 2027 elections, with alliances, opposition strategy and the question of who can mount the strongest challenge to Ruto emerging as central issues in Kenya's political debate.