Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned opposition leaders against imposing their preferred presidential candidates on supporters, saying such a move could complicate efforts to unite behind a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua said his supporters would find it difficult to campaign for a leader who had repeatedly declared that they would rather support Ruto than him, exposing the tensions likely to shape negotiations over the opposition's presidential ticket.
“I too have supporters; if it ever reaches that it is not Gachagua, my supporters will be quite uncomfortable to allow me to support or urge them to support somebody who has been saying if it is not them, it is Ruto,” he said during an interview with KTN published on October 29.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader was responding to questions about the competing presidential ambitions within the opposition, where Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have featured in discussions about possible leadership of the coalition.
On the growing support for Sifuna, Gachagua said his party had not endorsed the senator, despite remarks by DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala expressing support for him.
“He would want to persuade Kalonzo and persuade me to support Sifuna. It is within his right. There is nothing wrong,” Gachagua said.
He maintained that Malala was entitled to his political opinion but could not make an endorsement on behalf of the party.
Gachagua, however, praised the Linda Mwananchi Movement, which has brought together Sifuna and other leaders pushing for a different political approach, acknowledging its mobilisation and appeal among sections of the opposition.
The former Deputy President said the opposition needed to agree on its presidential candidate before making a public announcement, warning that revealing its choice too early could expose its political strategy to Ruto's camp.
“It is a 2002 moment; history is repeating itself. Kenyans, if we are not careful, we can fall for that trap like the people of Mbeere North. In my opinion, we should agree and keep quiet and unleash at the best time,” he said.
He added: “We have not agreed; the conversation is ongoing and I'm trying to persuade my colleagues on what should be done. I have a good idea but I cannot dictate and I cannot tell you because it will be giving out our strategy.”
Gachagua proposed that the opposition should settle on its candidate privately and announce the decision about five months before the elections.
He invoked the 2002 General Election, when opposition parties united under the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) and backed Mwai Kibaki against Kanu's Uhuru Kenyatta, ending the ruling party's 24-year hold on power.
The former Deputy President argued that a similar arrangement would require opposition leaders to exercise patience and resist pressure from supporters demanding immediate endorsements.
His remarks come amid growing debate over whether the opposition should settle on an experienced political leader or embrace a new generation of politicians.
Kalonzo has maintained his presidential ambitions, while sections of the Linda Mwananchi Movement have increasingly rallied behind Sifuna. Natembeya has also been involved in efforts to bring opposition leaders together.
Gachagua also dismissed the public exchanges between Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Nyandarua Senator John Methu over political financing, saying he would not be distracted by internal disagreements.
“I will not deal with pettiness and trivialities. I am a national leader. I am a possible president of the Republic of Kenya in another nine months. I would like to be preserved to deal with national issues,” he said.
He invited Nyoro to visit his Wamunyoro residence, saying his doors remained open to leaders who shared his political outlook.
The former Deputy President's remarks underline the delicate balancing act facing the opposition: building a coalition capable of challenging Ruto while managing leaders and supporters who have their own presidential ambitions.
