Kenya: No, Kenyan News Site Tuko Didn't Publish Article Claiming Opposition Secretly Wants Ex-Deputy President Gachagua Off 2027 Ballot

31 August 2026
Africa Check (Johannesburg)
By Makinia Juma Sylvia

IN SHORT: An image of a news article going viral on social media, apparently from the news site TUKO.co.ke, reports that opposition leaders secretly want former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua kept off the 2027 presidential ballot. However, this article is fake.

A screenshot of what appears to be an article published by Kenyan news outlet TUKO.co.ke is circulating on social media.

It has the headline: "EXPOSED: Why Opposition Leaders Are Secretly Praying Rigathi Gachagua Stays Off The 2027 Ballot."

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The article, dated 17 August 2026, is attributed to Tuko journalist Harry Ivan Mboto. It claims that although opposition leaders publicly support former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua in his legal battles, they would privately benefit if he were barred from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

"Gachagua locked out of the 2027 race is the best thing that could happen to them," part of the article reads. It argues that without Gachagua on the ballot, opposition leaders could consolidate his support base in the Mount Kenya region behind another candidate.

The screenshot also refers to what it calls a "fresh KSh25.4 million bribery scandal hanging over the Supreme Court ruling". It claims that a TIFA poll-driven proposal for a presidential ticket of opposition politicians Kalonzo Musyoka and Edwin Sifuna could outperform president William Ruto's 24% support.

Trends and Insights for Africa (TIFA) is a well-known research firm that conducts opinion polls on political, economic and social issues.

The Mount Kenya region refers to the vote-rich areas around central Kenya and parts of eastern Kenya traditionally inhabited by the populous Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities.

Gachagua served as Ruto's deputy from 2022 until he was impeached and removed from office in October 2024 after the two fell out. He has since emerged as a prominent opposition figure ahead of Kenya's 2027 general election and leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party.

But did Tuko publish the article in the screenshot? We checked.

Ignore fake article

Kenyan media often provide extensive coverage of statements about government and opposition figures, as well as any political realignments involving them. Had the opposition hinted at this remark, it would have sparked conversations. However, Africa Check found no reports by any credible news sources to support the claim.

Africa Check also conducted a preliminary search for the article on the news outlet's website, but came up empty.

Mboto is a genuine Tuko journalist. His profile identifies him as a current affairs and politics editor and lists hundreds of political stories he has written for the outlet. However, the article attributed to him in the screenshot does not appear on his author page.

All signs point to a fake article that should be ignored.

Read the original story, with links and other resources.
Africa Check is a non-partisan organisation which promotes accuracy in public debate and in the media. X @AfricaCheck and www.africacheck.org

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