2027 litmus test: Ruto, Gachagua showdown looms ahead of mini polls
The upcoming by-elections will provide a popularity contest between Ruto and his former DRigathi Gachagua as it changes the political landscape..
✨ Key Highlights
The upcoming by-elections in Kenya are poised to become a significant political battleground, serving as a "litmus test" for the popularity contest between President William Ruto and his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua. This contest will reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- Gachagua claims control of the Mt Kenya region, which delivered 2.9 million votes to Ruto in the 2022 General Election.
- President Ruto's elevation of Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruuku into the Cabinet is seen as a move to challenge or validate these claims.
- The by-elections will provide a crucial indicator of public sentiment and political shifts.
Continue Reading
Read the complete article from Standard Politics
Part of the Day's Coverage
Ruto and Gachagua Showdown Looms Ahead of By-Elections - November 2025
Upcoming by-elections in Kenya are poised to become a significant political battleground and a popularity contest between President William Ruto and his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua. The mini polls are described as a "litmus test" that will reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 General Election. This showdown will test Gachagua's claims of control over the Mt Kenya region. Ahead of the November 27 by-election, Democratic Congress Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta of "betraying" the Mt Kenya community.
