Uhuru Kenyatta
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has announced his decision to redirect his political support to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing what he described as a clear commitment to challenging President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Salasya's announcement came shortly after former President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed claims that he was sponsoring opposition politicians and the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Speaking during the memorial service of former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale on Sunday, Uhuru appeared to reject suggestions that he was the political sponsor of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders opposed to Ruto.
Uhuru said Kenyans had the right to choose their preferred leaders in 2027, mentioning several politicians, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and Sifuna.
He also cautioned against portraying him as a political sponsor, saying: “Jameni chungeni. Mimi sitaki kuitwa sponsor bana. Mimi sitaki mambo mingi.”
Salasya interpreted the former president's remarks as a reason for political leaders seeking to defeat Ruto to reconsider their expectations regarding Uhuru's role in the 2027 contest.
“My position is guided by one conviction: Kenya needs a credible and determined effort to bring about political change in 2027,” Salasya said.
The legislator directly addressed his political principals, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua and Fred Matiang'i, urging them to reconsider what he described as the assumption that Uhuru would fully finance and support their campaigns.
“My friend, former President His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, has demonstrated that he has no fundamental objection to President William Ruto securing a second term,” Salasya stated.
He argued that expectations of decisive backing from Uhuru should be examined against the former president's long political relationship with Ruto.
“It is difficult to reconcile the expectation of decisive support from Uhuru with the fact that he and President Ruto worked together politically for nearly two decades,” he said.
Salasya subsequently declared his support for Gachagua, arguing that the former deputy president had demonstrated greater determination to challenge Ruto and pursue political change.
“For this reason, I am choosing to redirect my energy, conviction, and political support toward H.E. Rigathi Gachagua,” he said.
The Mumias East MP also warned leaders within the Azimio coalition against relying heavily on the expectation that Uhuru would spearhead efforts to remove Ruto from power.
“If you continue pursuing this path within Azimio while relying on the expectation that Uhuru will lead or fully support an effort to remove Ruto from power, you may ultimately find yourselves chasing the wind,” Salasya said.
He nevertheless left the door open for his political principals to join the emerging alliance around Gachagua.
“If, however, you choose to join us in supporting a genuinely committed alternative, you will find me firmly behind His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua,” he added.
Salasya insisted that his decision was not motivated by personal differences with the leaders involved.
“My decision is not driven by bitterness or personal animosity,” he said, maintaining that it was based on his assessment of who was most committed to delivering the political change he believes Kenya needs.
His declaration adds another layer to the rapidly shifting political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition leaders and former allies weighing potential coalitions to challenge Ruto's administration.