DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua /FILE
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed he has a contingency plan should he be barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during a TV interview Wednesday night, Gachagua said while he remains optimistic about the outcome of case in court, he has identified a pool of young leaders ready to carry the Mt Kenya region's presidential bid.
He dismissed claims that legal challenges against him could leave the region without a candidate for the country's top seat.
According to the DCP leader some politicians are banking on the possibility of him being disqualified from the race, believing it would weaken the region politically.
"There are people who have been saying the mountain will not have a presidential candidate. Others think Gachagua can be locked out by the courts," he said.
He also claimed that some members of parliament from his region hoped his exclusion would improve their own political fortunes.
"There are some MPs from the region who want me barred because they think it will make it easier for them to get elected. I have bad news for them," he said.
Gachagua said he has spent time mentoring a new generation of leaders and is confident they are capable of leading the country.
"In the unfortunate event that I am barred from ever running, I have men and women ready to run. The community and I will agree on one candidate," he said.
He disclosed that he has identified 18 young leaders whom he believes are capable of vying for either the presidency or deputy presidency.
"I have young men and women who have come of age. They are competent, capable, articulate and energetic enough to be president or deputy president," he said.
The ex-DP argued that some of these younger leaders including senators John Methu (Nyandarua) Karung’o Thang’wa (Kiambu), Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina among several others could even perform better than him in a national contest because of their age and appeal.
"Those young people are more lethal than Gachagua. In fact, one of them would have a better showing than me because they are youthful, have a lot of energy, and the country is craving youthful leadership," he said.
Gachagua said his priority has been to ensure the Mt Kenya region never again finds itself without clear political leadership.
"I am a very happy leader because through my mentorship, my community will never be exposed again," he said.
"Even if anything happened to me, I have established a clear leadership structure. The community will never get confused. If I'm not there, they will know who to pick."
His remarks come amid continued speculation over the political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election and ongoing legal and political battles involving the former Deputy President.
