Former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has said that ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua remains qualified to contest for any political office, including the presidency, despite his impeachment.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Malala — who previously served as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General — stated that Gachagua’s impeachment is still under legal review and has not yet rendered him ineligible.
“As it stands, Rigathi Gachagua qualifies to run for any office. Until he is proven guilty and has exhausted all appeal mechanisms, he still enjoys the rights, just like any other Kenyan, to vie for any office,” said Malala.
Malala further noted that the legal process surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment must be fully resolved in court. Should the court uphold the impeachment, Gachagua would then be barred from seeking elective office.
Gachagua, who was impeached by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024, over 11 charges, has maintained his 2027 presidential ambitions. The impeachment motion was introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
Despite the impeachment, the former Deputy President has been active politically, recently travelling to the United States to mobilise support for his newly launched party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
While in the US, Gachagua said he is one of the opposition figures seeking to challenge President William Ruto in 2027. However, he expressed willingness to support another candidate if the opposition settles on a different flagbearer.
“I am a front runner and I think I have the best chances to be President, but I want to give you a commitment that if the formula does not favour me to send Ruto home, I will sacrifice my ambition to support whoever the system favours,” Gachagua said.
He is currently opening satellite DCP offices abroad and engaging the diaspora community as part of his campaign strategy.
