Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has signalled his willingness to abandon his 2027 presidential ambitions if doing so would help the opposition unite and ensure President William Ruto serves only one term.
Speaking during a live television interview on Wednesday night, July 23, 2026, Gachagua said his main objective is to build a strong opposition coalition capable of unseating the Kenya Kwanza administration in the next General Election.
“I am hopeful that I would be able to persuade my colleagues [in the opposition] to allow me to fly the flag,” Gachagua said during the interview.
“If I am not successful in that quest, and my colleagues persuade me otherwise that for us to remove William Ruto I need to give way to somebody else, I would do so willingly, unconditionally and my supporters and I will support that person to a man,” he added.
Gachagua dismissed suggestions that his political influence had diminished following his departure from office, arguing that he remains a key political figure despite not holding any official position.
“I don’t even have to be anything, today I am nobody – I don’t have a salary, I don’t have security,” he said.
“I occupy no position in this country but I influence things, I make things happen in this country. I am the point of reference in all matters, everybody answers me daily. I don’t have to be anybody to influence change of government for the better.”
The DCP leader said he is prepared to sacrifice his personal ambitions for what he described as the greater goal of restoring good governance in Kenya.
“I am a man who is willing to influence anything to bring good change and good governance in this country,” Gachagua said.
“I am willing to sacrifice anything including my presidential ambition to make sure William Ruto is one term,” he asserted.
Gachagua also rejected accusations that his politics are driven by tribal considerations, pointing to his support for Ruto in the 2022 election despite the President not being from the Kikuyu community.
“I am willing to support anybody to first prove to William Ruto that I am not tribal because when I supported him he was not Kikuyu, he was Kalenjin and I supported him, I can support somebody else,” he said.
“I am willing and ready with my supporters to support anybody else to be president.”
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions among opposition leaders about forming a united coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
