Wamuzi News KeSaboti MP Caleb Amisi sounded a startling warning this week, urging political players to stop opposing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and instead view him as a “necessary asset” in the strategy to defeat President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections. His call marks an abrupt twist in the anti-Ruto campaign, signalling both urgency and high-stakes maneuvering in Kenya’s political landscape.
In a post circulated on X, Amisi made his position unambiguously clear: “Don’t fight Rigathi Gachagua, he is the necessary evil you need on a team to defeat President Ruto.” This message, amplified by Nairobi Leo and other platforms, has unleashed a fresh wave of debate and speculation across political circles.
Backdrop of political realignment
Amisi’s declaration follows months of public rebuke of Gachagua’s tribal rhetoric—criticizing divisive appeals that risk fracturing the anti-Ruto coalition . On June 11, he cautioned against tribal posture, urging the bloc to centre on youth engagement and unity instead.
Simultaneously, he has repeatedly flagged the financial influence wielded by the Ruto administration, warning that tribal kingpins are easy targets for co-option—thus undermining efforts to rally wide-based opposition support .
Why Gachagua now?
Gachagua, despite being ousted from office in October 2024 over charges of inflaming ethnic tensions, retains significant political capital. His supporters argue he continues to command loyalty among segments of the electorate, especially in Mt Kenya. Amisi appears to weigh Gachagua’s divisive potential against the strategic benefit of uniting diverse factions under one banner.
By positioning Gachagua as a tactical instrument—or “necessary evil”—Amisi signals that defeating Ruto may require pragmatic alliances, even with previously problematic figures. It’s a politically charged gamble that underscores just how high the stakes are for 2027.
A shift in strategy
Amisi’s tone suggests a deliberate recalibration. Whereas earlier comments condemned tribalism as regressive, this new framing adopts transactional pragmatism: Gachagua’s value is determined solely by his utility in toppling the incumbent.
This pivot raises urgent questions: Can an alliance built on expediency hold together when ideological divisions remain? Will grassroots supporters—particularly Kenya’s Gen Z voters—accept a coalition that includes figures they’ve rebuked for tribalizing politics?
What this means for 2027
With just over two years until Kenya heads to the ballot, political alignments are shifting at pace. Amisi’s endorsement of Gachagua as a tactical counterweight to Ruto signals the emergence of a more fluid, interest-driven opposition.
The next few months are critical: opposing camps must decide whether to unify under pragmatic coalitions or pursue principled but fragmented strategies. One thing is clear—Amisi’s message has added a fresh layer of shock to Kenya’s electoral countdown.
