Speaking during a recent engagement with supporters, Gachagua stated that just as Ruto built his presidency by first consolidating support at home, he too has chosen to start his political journey from his backyard.
Gachagua’s remarks are widely interpreted as a signal of his growing ambition to emerge as a major political force ahead of the 2027 general election.
By invoking Ruto’s trajectory, Gachagua appeared to acknowledge the effectiveness of the President’s grassroots mobilisation model, which involved building a strong regional base before expanding nationally through alliances and populist messaging.
Ruto’s rise to power was anchored in a long-term strategy that began in the Rift Valley, where he consolidated political loyalty over two decades before crafting a national narrative around the “hustler” movement.
That regional dominance later became the foundation of a broader coalition that eventually propelled him to State House in 2022.
Gachagua now suggests he is replicating that model by strengthening his influence in the Mt Kenya region, which remains one of the country’s most politically and economically significant voting blocs.
Since his impeachment as Deputy President, Gachagua has intensified his engagements with grassroots leaders, clergy, business groups, and youth organisations across Central Kenya, positioning himself as a defender of regional interests.
In his statement, Gachagua implied that political success in Kenya is not accidental but strategic. He argued that national leadership is built through patience, regional loyalty, and careful coalition-building, rather than media popularity or elite endorsements.
By saying he has “started at home,” Gachagua is effectively signalling that he is first consolidating Mt Kenya before making broader national moves.
The former DP also appeared to challenge Ruto directly, suggesting that he not only understands the President’s political formula but believes he can outperform him using the same approach.
This has fuelled speculation about a possible political showdown between the two former allies, whose relationship has deteriorated sharply since their fallout.
However, critics argue that copying Ruto’s strategy does not guarantee similar results. Ruto’s rise was supported by years of national exposure, cabinet experience, and international networks, factors Gachagua may struggle to replicate fully.