NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he could relocate to the United States with his family if the Opposition loses the 2027 General Election, warning that divisions within the Mount Kenya region could undermine efforts to defeat President William Ruto.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader made the remarks during a television interview on Sunday night, November 1, in which he linked his continued stay in Kenya to the Opposition’s ability to unite and secure electoral victory.
Gachagua said he remained convinced that the Opposition had sufficient political support to defeat Ruto but cautioned that internal disagreements, particularly in the Mount Kenya region, could weaken the coalition’s chances.
“I am convinced that the Opposition will win, if it does not allow itself to be divided,” he said.
The former Deputy President singled out divisions within Mount Kenya, arguing that competing political interests and failure to rally behind a common presidential candidate could give the incumbent an advantage in the 2027 contest.
He suggested that he would consider leaving the country if voters in the region ignored his calls for unity and allowed political differences to undermine the Opposition’s campaign.
“If our people allow themselves to be divided, I will just board a plane and go to the US. I have a home there,” he said.
Gachagua further indicated that he would not necessarily wait until the election results were announced before making a decision if he became convinced that political leaders from the region were misleading voters and fragmenting their support.
“If I see that our people have been misled and divided through their own leaders, because I will be woke, I will not be here in Kenya,” he added.
He maintained that he had made efforts to unite Mount Kenya behind a common political position and would not accept responsibility if the region failed to heed his appeals.
“I have tried to unite the region, so no one will ask me any question. No one will ask me the reason for fleeing. I will just go to America with my people because I have a home there,” he said.
Gachagua’s US relocation remarks raise political questions
The remarks come less than two weeks after Gachagua returned to Kenya following an extended stay in the United States.
He left the country on August 26 and returned on October 20, ending a trip that combined engagements with Kenyans living abroad, political activities and time at his residence in the US.
During the tour, the DCP leader held meetings with diaspora communities as he sought to strengthen his political networks ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His latest comments have now introduced the possibility of another stay in the US, although he did not announce a definite relocation date or indicate that he had made a final decision to leave Kenya.
The statement also places renewed attention on the political calculations surrounding Mount Kenya, a region whose voting patterns could have significant implications for the presidential contest.
Battle for Mount Kenya political influence
Gachagua has increasingly positioned himself as a leading political voice in the Mount Kenya region since his removal from the Deputy President’s office in October 2024.
However, his efforts to consolidate regional support have unfolded alongside the emergence of other politicians seeking influence over the region’s political direction.
Among them are People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who heads the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK).
Nyoro joined the Opposition in August 2026 after leaving the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), while Karua has also been involved in consultations among opposition leaders seeking a common political platform ahead of the next election.
The contest for regional influence has at times exposed disagreements over leadership, political strategy and who should speak on behalf of Mount Kenya voters.
In September, the rivalry between Gachagua and Nyoro attracted attention after the two exchanged political remarks amid growing debate over the region’s leadership. Other regional politicians have also resisted the idea that one individual should determine Mount Kenya’s political direction.
Opposition unity remains a central issue ahead of 2027
Gachagua’s latest warning comes as opposition leaders continue discussions over the possibility of fielding a single presidential candidate against Ruto.
The former Deputy President has repeatedly advocated for a joint candidate, arguing that opposition parties must agree on a common flagbearer rather than split their support through competing presidential bids.
In October, he said the Opposition would eventually present one candidate and pledged to support whoever emerged through consultations, even if he was not selected.
Also Read: Matiang’i warns Gachagua’s ambitions could split opposition ahead of 2027
However, the process of identifying a flagbearer remains a major challenge, with several opposition leaders maintaining presidential ambitions and different parties seeking a role in determining the coalition’s direction.
Gachagua’s remarks suggest that he views unity in Mount Kenya as a particularly important part of that broader political arrangement.
His suggestion that he could relocate to the US if the Opposition loses also drew criticism from former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who questioned the implications of a senior political leader saying he could leave the country while millions of Kenyans would have no similar option.
As the 2027 election approaches, the question of who commands political support in Mount Kenya, how that support will be negotiated and whether opposition leaders can agree on a common candidate is likely to remain central to the country’s political debate.
