Gachagua Reveals Date Opposition Will Name Candidate to Face Ruto

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the opposition will wait until the last possible moment before unveiling its presidential flagbearer to challenge William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua said the coalition is deliberately taking its time to avoid allowing its political rivals to prepare against its preferred candidate, insisting that consultations across the country are still ongoing.

Gachagua said the opposition’s strategy is to build consensus before naming a presidential candidate, adding that there is no urgency to make the announcement before the legal deadline.

He maintained that the coalition is engaging Kenyans from different regions to ensure the eventual candidate enjoys broad national support.

“We are not in a hurry. What is the hurry for? We can name our presidential candidate as late as 15th May, which is the deadline for submitting presidential candidates. We will not give our competitors an advantage. We will not give them an opportunity to prepare against our candidate,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua Says Consultations Are Still Ongoing

The former Deputy President explained that the opposition remains focused on building unity and conducting extensive consultations before settling on a single presidential candidate.

“That is why everyone must remain united. We want wananchi to support a common purpose. We are consulting widely, listening to Kenyans, receiving advice, and our consultations are ongoing,” he said.

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Gachagua argued that unity within the opposition would be crucial in mounting a formidable challenge against President Ruto, saying the coalition’s objective is to present a candidate capable of attracting support from across the country.

Mountain Vote Remains Central to 2027 Calculations

Gachagua also defended the political significance of the Mount Kenya region, saying it remains a decisive voting bloc under Kenya’s constitutional framework.

“As we prepare for 2027, there are three important things we must remember. First is our mountain region. Second is the Constitution. The Constitution clearly states that for anyone to be declared President of Kenya, they must obtain 50 per cent plus one vote. That provision was deliberately included when we enacted the Constitution in 2010,” he stated.

He pointed to previous presidential elections as evidence of the region’s electoral influence.

“We have seen this happen before. In 2007, President Mwai Kibaki won. In 2013, President Uhuru Kenyatta won. In 2022, President William Ruto won. That constitutional requirement remains important, and the mountain region will continue to play a significant role in determining who forms the next government,” Gachagua added.

Appeal against blaming an entire community

At the same time, Gachagua urged Kenyans not to hold the entire Mount Kenya community responsible for the actions of individual political leaders, saying collective blame only deepens divisions.

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“Let us not make this issue about an entire community. It is not fair to blame a whole community for the actions of one individual. If someone has eaten alone, the community did not eat with him. If someone has stolen public resources, the community did not steal Kenya’s resources. This burden belongs to one person, not to an entire people,” he said.

He called for national unity, arguing that elected leaders should be judged individually based on their performance in office rather than their ethnic background.

“We should not create divisions. Instead, we must continue to unite the community. If someone is elected to serve, let them do their job and serve the people diligently,” he said.

The former Deputy President further appealed for fairness towards residents of the Mount Kenya region, saying they should not face hostility because of the alleged mistakes of one leader.

“Please do not blame the people from the mountain. The confusion and the mismanagement have been brought about by one person. The community is a dignified one, and we must work together. We are part of this country, and we do not want to be persecuted because of the actions of one individual,” Gachagua said.

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Former DP Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto at the Kakamega State Lodge during a visit to Western Kenya on August 30, 2023. PHOTO/PCS