Gachagua on search for opposition flagbearer, strategy to oust Ruto

Former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua during the interview at his residence in Nairobi on October 28, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has suggested naming the opposition flagbearer five months to the 2027 General Election, with their main agenda being to defeat President William Ruto.

Gachagua said they are building consensus on the strategies they should adopt to finally agree on the opposition candidate, and proposed that they should not rush to say what their decision is.

Likening the 2027 elections to the historic ‘2002 moment’ where the late former President Mwai Kibaki was named close to the then election’s date and still carried the day with a landslide, he said that similar political realignment is taking shape that will give Ruto a run for his money.

But as this happens, Gachagua urged his opposition counterparts to restrain their supporters and seize giving conditions in their journey to picking a single candidate to unseat Ruto.

He said such remarks may complicate the equation, with Gachagua reiterating his earlier sentiments that hinted to a possible opposition principal ditching their camp ahead of the 2027 General Election but declined to give the name.

Gachagua insisted that not everybody who speaks to the "wantam" slogan in the opposition necessarily means they are genuine about their stand, noting that some are sponsored by Ruto to divide the one-term vote to his advantage.

“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. We are yet to build consensus,” Gachagua said, in an exclusive interview with KTN.

He affirmed that the united opposition will not handpick a presidential candidate, saying their formula remains a secret weapon to be unleashed at the right time, even as it seemed clearer on their priorities once they get into power.

According to Gachagua, their government seeks to, among other issues, ensure there is political goodwill to dismantle state capture, rebuild the destroyed civil service’s trust, restore the healthcare and education sectors, and deliver justice for Gen Zs.

“So far, we have not agreed on who will carry the day, 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. Ruto is not happy we have not named anyone. We will name at the right time and I’m urging Kenyans to be patient,” Gachagua said.

He accused Ruto of being a vicious person who harasses his opponents and they will not give him the opportunity to interfere with their plan but was categorical that their strategy is to win the elections, and they will not reveal it to the public at this point.

Gachagua also defended his decision to hold meetings in Wamunyoro saying they are aimed at crafting a winning strategy to liberate Kenya and formation of the sixth administration.

“Wamunyoro is a political shrine and not just any discussion held there, it is not discussions about land, business, tourism or other things, it is about crafting a winning strategy to liberate our country and forming the sixth administration. Kenyans are jittery and want us to agree on one person,” he said.

At the same time, Gachagua has urged his opposition counterparts seeking to unseat President Ruto to hit the ground running and convince voters, saying Kenyans cannot vote for leaders they have neither seen nor heard, yet politics is a game of numbers.

He lashed out at those in the opposition threatening to vote for Ruto if their candidate is not picked, saying his supporters will reject any opposition candidate not ready to support others.

“I too have supporters, if it ever reaches that it is not Gachagua, my supporters will be quite uncomfortable to allow me support or urge them to support somebody who has been saying if it is not them, it is Ruto. My supporters will not support that kind of a candidate. So, I want to tell those supporters thinking they are pleasing their candidates with such statements, they are actually setting them up against other leaders’ supporters,” Gachagua explained.

He made reference to his remarks in the US, indicating that despite Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna being a relatively younger person, he can support him and it should also be vice versa.

Gachagua praised the Linda Mwananchi’s team, led by Sifuna and their resolve to make Ruto a one-term President saying they are firm in their messaging, energy and mobilisation power, insisting politics is about numbers.

“If Sifuna and his supporters decide to support me, I think his supporters will be quite kind to me because I had already expressed my willingness to support him if the formula favours me. But if a situation where some supporters are abusing me and my supporters continuously, then it reaches that day we need to make a decision, it will not be easy,” Gachagua stated.

Although their meeting with Sifuna sent a positive signal and was confident that joint mobilisation efforts will boost voter turnout and unite opposition, he explained that they had not made any endorsement yet.

Gachagua also explained that personal opinions should not be misconstrued as DCP’s official stand, noting that remarks attributed to his deputy Cleophas Malala seemingly expressing support for Sifuna do not reflect that a decision has already been made.

He admitted to Malala urging him and Wiper Party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka to support Sifuna, which he said is within his rights.

“He (Malala) would want to persuade Kalonzo and me to support Sifuna and that is within his rights, there is nothing wrong with that,” Gachagua said.

“I urge my colleagues, the way to restrain your supporters is not to call them to a meeting to tell them, don't talk loosely. The way to restrain your supporters is being categorical yourself. You have never heard supporters of Gachagua saying, if it's not Gachagua, it's Ruto. Why? Because Gachagua has been clear, publicly, from day one, telling Kenyans, including his supporters, that I'm the best suited person to face Ruto with no conditions,” he added.

At the same time, he said that Ruto is struggling with picking a running mate since he wants to get rid of the incumbent Kithure Kindiki because he has no numbers and cited several people that could complicate his equation.

“He (Ruto) has a bigger problem on his hands than we do. We are also waiting as a matter of strategy depending on who he picks as the running mate. It also has a strategic bearing on our own internal agreements on how to proceed,” Gachagua said.

He also praised Kalonzo as one of Kenya’s most principled leaders, saying the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga betrayed him three times, yet he remained loyal and stood by him.

“I have taken time to study Kalonzo and he is one of the most principled in the country,” he said.

But separately, Democratic Party’s National Organising Secretary, James Mwangi held that the opposition’s delayed presidential announcement is a political time bomb.

He said the opposition may be projecting unity, but an uncomfortable question threatens to undermine its preparations for the General Election on who will be its presidential candidate, and when the decision will be announced.

“The delay is becoming more than a disagreement over political timing. It risks creating a succession crisis in which competing ambitions, hardened loyalties and public ultimatums could destroy the coalition before it faces Ruto at the ballot,” he said, in a statement.

“The lesson for today’s opposition is straightforward: a coalition can possess formidable leaders and substantial public support yet lose an election because it fails to manage its own ambitions,” Mwangi added.

Mwangi stated that the opposition’s challenge is not merely to identify a presidential candidate but to manage the expectations of leaders who believe they are qualified to lead, supporters who demand clarity and political allies who want assurances about their place in a future administration.

“The rallying cry “Hadi kwa debe” (to the ballot) may energise supporters, but it also creates expectations that become difficult to reverse. Once rival camps have mobilised their followers behind competing presidential bids, compromise can be interpreted as betrayal,” he opined.

Meanwhile, Gachagua has also dismissed that he has scheduled a meeting with former President Uhuru Kenyatta yet, but will not accept the constant bashing because he handed over power peacefully.

“Starting tomorrow, I'm going to defend former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He has really been bashed in my absence. It's my duty as leader of my community to protect my kinsmen,” he uttered.