Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has refuted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s assertion that the Mount Kenya region can produce seven million votes in the upcoming 2027 general election.
Speaking against Gachagua’s projection, Duale argued that the community's actual voter population is closer to 3.8 million. He further reduced this number to approximately 2.5 million after excluding residents originally from other parts of Kenya but living within the region.
“He boasts of having seven million votes from his community, but that figure is inflated. The total votes are about 3.8 million, and when you remove those not originally from Mt Kenya, the number drops to 2.5 million,” Duale stated.
Gachagua has frequently emphasized the electoral strength of Mt Kenya, suggesting that its voting bloc could be pivotal in determining the 2027 presidential race. His Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) recently celebrated a strong showing in the Ol Kalou by-election, reinforcing his confidence in the region's influence.
In response, Duale proposed a broader coalition that would unite voters from the Coast and North Eastern regions, as well as Muslim and Christian communities, to collectively reach the seven million vote mark.
“Together with leaders like Hassan Joho, we aim to unite North Eastern, Coast, and all Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters. We believe this coalition can raise seven million votes,” Duale explained.
This exchange highlights the intensifying competition among political leaders to demonstrate their capacity to mobilize large voting blocs ahead of the 2027 elections.
Background on Gachagua’s Vote Projection
Weeks prior, Gachagua declared that the Mt Kenya region is set to mobilize at least 7.1 million votes to challenge President William Ruto in 2027. He acknowledged the region’s significant role in Ruto’s 2022 victory but expressed regret over supporting the current administration.
“The people of Mt Kenya and I take responsibility for the challenges facing the country. We contributed nearly half the votes that brought this administration to power, and for that, we apologize,” Gachagua said during a press briefing in Nyahururu, Nyandarua County.
