Methu: Gachagua must vie for presidency, only he can beat Ruto

Nyandarua Senator John Methu / HANDOUT

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has said that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua must contest the presidency in the next 2027 general election.

The senator said that Gachagua remains the opposition’s strongest candidate against President William Ruto despite his impeachment.

Speaking during Gachagua's tour in the United Kingdom, Methu said Gachagua was the “engine” of the opposition and should return to Kenya soon to help mobilise against the government.

“I support all the opposition candidates. If Gachagua is with you in the UK, things will be very quiet; that is why we have to release him in at least one week,” Methu said.

“The rest of us will be waiting for Gachagua in Nairobi to come help the opposition pressure the government. Do not let the engine of opposition stay in the UK for long.”

The senator argued that Gachagua commands a larger political support base than other opposition figures and should therefore lead the coalition’s presidential bid.

“A person who has five million votes cannot deputise someone with three million votes. If the engine that can drive the opposition is the same engine that will drive the government, then that person should be fronted and eventually become president,” Methu said.

Methu also dismissed claims that Gachagua’s impeachment disqualifies him from contesting the presidency, saying the former deputy president still has legal avenues available to challenge the decision in court.

“Gachagua, impeached or not, our law allows him to run as long as he has not exhausted all remedies available in law to overturn his unlawful impeachment,” he said.

“You all know that he was impeached unfairly and that the case is bound to fail even in the court of public opinion. Anybody trying to tell us that Gachagua will not be on the ballot only wants to discourage his supporters because they know he is a formidable candidate.”

Gachagua is currently in London in a renewed push to court the Kenyan diaspora.

Among the scheduled activities in London are a cultural event on Saturday featuring Kenyan artists and a reception to welcome Gachagua upon his arrival.

Gachagua’s UK tour comes amid a broader trend of opposition leaders stepping up international outreach to consolidate diaspora support.

While the diaspora voting base is still very limited in number—about 10,000—its resource base and influence remain an attraction for politicians.

Gachagua had himself conducted a high-profile six-week tour of the US, ending on August 21, 2025.

The tour was characterised by aggressive political mobilisation aimed at building support for his 2027 presidential bid and rallying opposition against President Ruto.