NYERI — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stepped up his calls for opposition leaders to shed what he sees as slow or hesitant approaches and fully commit to a single presidential candidate ahead of the August 2027 General Election.Citizen
In recent interviews and consultations at his Wamunyoro residence, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader has warned colleagues against complacency, half-hearted commitments, and delays that could allow President William Ruto to exploit divisions. He has repeatedly framed the current moment as Kenya’s “2002 moment,” arguing that the opposition must identify one flagbearer who can deliver a landslide victory.The-star
Speaking in a KTN interview late last month, Gachagua insisted that leaders seeking his support must publicly declare their willingness to back whoever emerges as the joint candidate. He criticised situations in which supporters of individual aspirants threaten to vote for Ruto if their preferred person is not chosen, saying such behaviour is unacceptable and only thrives when leaders remain silent.Kenyans
“I have told my colleagues that if you want my support, you must publicly commit that in case it is not you, you are willing to support others,” he said. He added that he himself would back any agreed candidate unconditionally if the formula does not favour him.Kenyans
Gachagua has also advised against rushing a public announcement of the flagbearer too early, recommending that the opposition quietly agree on a candidate and then unveil them about five months before the election. This, he argues, would build short, intense momentum while shielding the nominee from what he describes as government harassment, investigations, and interference.Citizen
“You cannot sustain a momentum for eight months. People lose steam. You need a momentum that is short,” he explained in another interview, while defending the current pace of consultations as strategic rather than sluggish.Peopledaily
His push comes amid a series of meetings at Wamunyoro involving Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of the Linda Mwananchi movement, NARC leader Charity Ngilu, and others. Gachagua has hosted these discussions while maintaining that the opposition’s immediate priority must be consensus on one candidate rather than prolonged individual campaigns.Kenyaelectionstracker
He has cited the 2002 NARC coalition, in which opposition parties settled on Mwai Kibaki relatively close to the election and defeated KANU, as the model. Leaders who reject the joint-candidate approach, he has warned, risk political isolation once the public converges behind a single challenger to Ruto.The-star
The lectures reflect growing pressure within the opposition as the 2027 campaign draws nearer, with internal debates continuing over timing, vote arithmetic, and the balance between regional bases and national unity. Gachagua has positioned himself as a central organiser of these efforts, stressing that only a disciplined, committed front can deliver the change he says Kenyans are demanding.