The bitter breakup between President William Ruto and his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rapidly escalated into one of the most consequential political rivalries in Kenya’s recent history, setting the stage for what many see as a defining contest for the presidency in 2027.
The rift, which burst into the open following Gachagua’s removal from office in late 2024, has hardened into a full-blown personal and political confrontation. Both men are now positioning themselves as the leading candidates to succeed the current president.
From deputy to rival
The relationship between Ruto and Gachagua was forged in the context of the 2022 election, when the two men ran together on a joint ticket that swept them to victory. Gachagua, a businessman from the Mt. Kenya region that is Kenya’s political heartland, delivered the crucial votes that helped secure Ruto’s narrow win.
For two years, the administration projected an image of cohesion. However, the alliance began to fracture, with Gachagua increasingly vocal about perceived marginalisation of the Mt. Kenya region in government appointments, economic policies, and resource allocation.
The rupture came to a head in late 2024, when Gachagua was impeached by parliament following allegations of corruption and abuse of office. He has consistently denied the charges, describing them as politically motivated. After his removal, Gachagua re-emerged as a vocal critic of the president, traveling extensively through the Mt. Kenya region.
The Mt. Kenya question
The rivalry centres fundamentally on the political loyalty of the Mt. Kenya region, which has historically served as a kingmaker in Kenyan politics due to its large population and strong voting cohesion.
Gachagua has repeatedly declared that he delivered the region for Ruto in 2022, and that he can do so again — or withhold it. “I delivered Mt. Kenya in 2022. And I can deliver it again,” he has said at multiple public gatherings.
For now, both Ruto and Gachagua are building their organisations, raising funds, and travelling across the country to test messages and build coalitions. The rivalry is likely to intensify as the 2027 election approaches.