UDA Insiders Suggest Possible Return for Former Deputy President Gachagua Ahead of 2027 Elections

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua could be reinstated into the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) just before the 2027 elections, according to party insiders led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.

Speaking during a church service at Kapsang’ AIC Church in Uasin Gishu County on Sunday attended by UDA party insiders, including Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa stated that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua could be allowed back into the party when the time is right.

According to Barasa, Gachagua was deemed unsuitable for the Deputy President role but the party may reconsider his reinstatement following his suspension.

Additionally, he suggested that by 2027, Gachagua would have undergone ‘rehabilitation’ and could be reaccepted into UDA, even as he appears to be charting a different political path.

”When the right time comes, even that Rigathi Gachagua who we impeached we will bring him back when we require him. He was only unsuitable to serve our country as the Deputy President but he can be suitable to be a voter, to be a member of our coalition because am sure he will undergo some rehabilitation,” Barasa stated.

Further, the lawmaker suggested that the former one-time lawmaker will be given a role upon return to the party in 2027.

However, he did not specify whether the role would be a state appointment or an internal party position.

”He now knows that if you are a Deputy President, you are a leader of all the people. He is learning that he is learning something and am sure that even the church is praying for him,” Barasa opined.

”So we are hoping that by 2027 May, he will have reformed and we will revive his membership in UDA and get him back as a member and look for a job that he can do when that time comes,” he added.

Currently, neither Gachagua nor the UDA party has officially announced his exit, although he appears to be on his way out.

Since his removal as Deputy President—which, under UDA party laws, also meant losing his position as deputy party leader, leaving him as an ordinary member—Gachagua has been actively mobilizing resistance against the ruling party and its leadership, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.

Following Gachagua’s impeachment, Kithure Kindiki was officially named the UDA Deputy Party Leader, effectively ending the former Deputy President’s tenure in November after Kindiki was sworn into office.

“By virtue of the resolution of the National Assembly and the vote of the Senate and by operations of articles 75 (3) and 45(7) of the constitution, Rigathi Gachagua is unable to perform the duties of the deputy party leader and thus ceases to hold the office of the Deputy Party Leader,” the statement from UDA read.

”The National Executive Committee has resolved to designate Prof. Kithure Kindiki as the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Alliance Party, effective immediately.”