Gachagua: I have what it takes to tackle graft in one year

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has projected a one-year timeline for tackling corruption should he succeed in forming the next government, pointing to strong presidential leadership as the key driver.

Gachagua said the fight against graft should begin with the President and be enforced throughout government, arguing that strong commitment at the highest level could change public conduct.

“I have what it takes to fix these things within one year of forming government because it is doable,” the ex-DP stated.

He was speaking to business executives at Silo Modern Farmhouse in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 18, 2026, during his ongoing engagements in the United States.

His remarks formed part of his pitch on how he would address challenges facing Kenya if he formed the next government. 

Gachagua acknowledged the scale of the corruption problem, describing it as a major challenge that had become difficult to overcome.

“The challenge of corruption in our country is so big and looking almost insurmountable... We need to fix that,” he said.

He pointed to the early years of former President Mwai Kibaki’s administration as an example of what he described as the impact of strong political commitment in confronting corruption.

Gachagua recalled that when the late president took office in 2003, there was strong public pressure against corruption and citizens were taking an active role in confronting the vice.

“In 2003 when President Mwai Kibaki was sworn in, Kenyans were so determined to do away with corruption. They were effecting what is called citizen's arrest,” he said.

He also referred to changes made in the Judiciary during Kibaki’s administration, stressing that they were intended to address corruption within the institution.

He argued that a similar level of commitment from a future president would produce results within a relatively short period.

“I’m clear in my mind that once we get a president who decides that corruption will not be allowed in Kenya, within 12 months things will be working,” he said.

Gachagua has been using his ongoing US tour to engage Kenyans and business leaders on issues including the economy, government procurement and the management of public resources.

He has also proposed clearing verified government pending bills and restoring confidence in procurement documents such as Local Purchase Orders and Local Service Orders.

His corruption pledge comes as he positions himself as a potential contender in Kenya’s 2027 presidential contest.

Gachagua served as deputy president from 2022 until his removal from office through impeachment in October 2024.