Rigathi Gachagua vs Peter Salasya
They differ most on land, wealth and taxes, institutions and power-sharing, political style. They sit close on civil liberties.
Dimension by dimension
| Gachagua | Salasya | |
|---|---|---|
| Role of the state in the economy | Leans state-ledWhyAs Deputy President he led state-driven coffee-sector reform efforts (verify specific measures). (low confidence) | No record |
| Land, wealth and taxes | Leans low redistributionWhyAs Deputy President in 2023 he campaigned for the Finance Bill, telling MPs who opposed it not to ask for roads, and defended the Housing Levy. (low confidence) | Leans strong redistributionWhyVoted no on the Finance Bill 2024 at second reading in June 2024. (low confidence) |
| Social values | Socially conservative SWhyCalled the Supreme Court's February 2023 ruling allowing an LGBTQ rights group to register 'satanic' and 'against our beliefs'. His campaigns lean heavily on church platforms. (medium confidence) | No record |
| Institutions and power-sharing | Leans executive-centredWhyAfter the High Court struck down the Housing Levy in November 2023 he publicly pleaded with judges not to 'sabotage' it. (low confidence) | Leans checks and devolution SWhyDefended the constituency and women's funds (CDF and NGAAF), saying cutting them would 'reduce them to beggars'. Speaking for money that is spent locally, in his own interest as an MP too. (low confidence) |
| Political style | Leans anti-establishmentWhyFormer second-in-command now leads an opposition party. (medium confidence) | Anti-establishment SWhyOutspoken, populist positioning against the political class (low volume of policy evidence). (low confidence) |
| Civil liberties | Leans liberty-first SWhyThe opposition's 100-day plan he unveiled in September 2026 pledges to prosecute those behind the deaths of 2024 and 2025 protesters. He was Deputy President during the 2024 protests, but the police did not answer to him. His claim that he objected inside government is disputed by Kindiki. (low confidence) | Leans liberty-first HWhyAn arrest drew condemnation from Senator Omtatah (charge and outcome not verified). Hearsay: counted at the lightest weight. (low confidence) |
Placed mainly from what each did; S marks stated positions and H hearsay, which count less. Method.
On the issues voters rank highest
Cost of living
Gachagua: D Championed the Finance Act 2023, which doubled fuel VAT and created the Housing Levy. He now promises lower taxes; that promise is not counted because his record contradicts it.
Salasya: D Voted no on the Finance Bill 2024 at second reading.
Healthcare
Gachagua: S Leads the opposition push to scrap SHA and restore NHIF, which Kindiki attacked in January 2026.
Salasya: S Said in February 2025 he was drafting a bill to scrap SHA and restore NHIF, and a motion to reverse the university funding model.
Who they are
Rigathi Gachagua: Deputy President 2022 to Oct 2024 (impeached). Former Mathira MP. Leader of DCP. On his record as Deputy President he championed the government's tax measures, so his new tax-cutting promises are not counted. His socially conservative statements are counted as stated positions. His faith-based and regional messaging is not counted, because he has held executive power. The clearest documented pattern is a shift from government insider to opposition leader.
Peter Salasya: Mumias East MP since 2022. 2027 presidential aspirant. Mostly words so far: a populist, anti-establishment voice who voted against the 2024 Finance Bill and defends constituency funds. Little legislative record, so his placements are light.
Biographies: Rigathi Gachagua · Peter Salasya