Kenya: Gachagua Rules Out Ruto Alliance Deal, Says 'I Cannot Be Bought'

What the report says

Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of Kenya’s DCP party and former deputy president, said he is not prepared to join President William Ruto’s political camp and cannot be pressured into doing so. In remarks reported by Capital FM and carried by AllAfrica, Gachagua made the comments at his Wamunyoro residence during a consultative meeting with delegates from Isiolo. He said he would rather stay aligned with opposition efforts and support a common candidate if other opposition leaders settle on one.

Gachagua framed his stance as a rejection of both inducements and intimidation, saying he would not accept a deal with Ruto. He also argued that any opposition figure who chooses to work with the president would have to do so without assuming their supporters would follow. His comments suggest he wants opposition parties to remain united rather than strike separate arrangements with the ruling side.

The remarks are politically significant because they come amid ongoing jockeying ahead of future Kenyan contests, where coalition-building and defections can shape outcomes. In broader context, Kenyan politics has often featured shifting alliances between rival camps, and Gachagua’s comments appear aimed at reinforcing his role as a central opposition figure. AllAfrica’s report is based on the Capital FM account.