Former Trade CS Moses Kuria has reignited political debate around the 2027 presidential race after challenging former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to first secure a place on the presidential ballot, saying he would support him if he manages to do so.
“I will vote for Riggy G if he proves me wrong and ends up on the ballot. Challenge given,” Kuria posted on X on Wednesday.
The statement has renewed focus on the evolving and at times complicated political relationship between Kuria and Gachagua, particularly within the Mt Kenya political landscape ahead of the next General Election.
Over the past two years, Kuria’s position on Gachagua has shifted repeatedly from sharp criticism during the fallout within the Kenya Kwanza administration to later defending his political rights even after their differences.
At the height of tensions in government in 2024, Kuria publicly criticised Gachagua and even warned that an impeachment motion against him was inevitable.
At the time, Kuria claimed the then deputy president was deepening divisions within government.
However, after Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024, Kuria appeared to soften his stance.
In a January 2025 interview, he admitted he had initially resisted efforts to remove Gachagua from office but eventually supported the impeachment process, saying he had been “left with zero option.”
Months later, Kuria again struck a conciliatory tone, saying he would defend Gachagua’s democratic and political rights despite their differences and his support for the UDA party.
“I believe that Rigathi Gachagua has every right to practice his politics in the best way he knows how, as long as he is not contravening the law,” Kuria said.
The latest remarks now place Kuria back at the centre of speculation over Mt Kenya succession politics and possible alignments ahead of 2027.
Questions around whether Gachagua can successfully appear on the presidential ballot have persisted since his impeachment.
The former deputy president has repeatedly maintained that he remains firmly in the race and has continued building his political base through the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Political analysts and public commentators have remained divided on the matter.
Some legal and political voices argue that impeachment could complicate or limit his eligibility for future office, depending on court outcomes and constitutional interpretation, while others insist the issue remains legally contestable as court proceedings continue.
Despite those uncertainties, Gachagua’s political influence appears to be growing in sections of the opposition.
A recent TIFA poll released last week showed DCP support rising from six per cent in November 2025 to 16 per cent in May 2026, positioning it among the fastest-growing political parties in the country.
The survey also indicated declining support for both UDA and ODM compared to their standing during the 2022 election period, reflecting shifting political loyalties and growing voter realignment ahead of the next polls.
Kuria’s latest remarks are likely to add further intrigue to the already fluid Mt Kenya political contest, where leaders continue positioning themselves around the question of who will command the region’s support in 2027.