Details of Gachagua-Babu Phone Call on Opposition Candidate to Face Ruto

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has revealed details of his conversation with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino over the timing of the opposition’s decision on a presidential candidate to face President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua said he spoke to Babu after the MP called on opposition leaders to stop delaying the selection of their joint presidential candidate.

Babu has argued that the opposition should settle on its candidate early enough to allow the team to begin campaigning and maintain unity ahead of the election. He has opposed waiting until December 2026 or later to make the decision.

Gachagua, however, said there was no need to rush the process, pointing to the amount of time remaining before the election.

Gachagua Explains His Conversation with Babu

Gachagua said he reminded Babu of the 2002 General Election, when opposition leaders agreed on Mwai Kibaki as their single presidential candidate on October 14, 2002.

He noted that the decision was made 73 days before the December 27 election, arguing that the opposition still has considerably more time before the 2027 polls.

“We have been around for a long time. We understand Ruto. It is too early to remove someone now. If we remove someone now, he will give us problems.”

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Gachagua said the opposition has about 300 days and questioned the need to settle on its candidate immediately.

“I told Babu Owino that Mwai Kibaki was agreed upon as the single presidential candidate on October 14, 2002, while the elections were held on December 27 of the same year. That was two months and 13 days apart, just 73 days. We have 300 days. What is the problem? There is no problem. Let us take it slowly.”

The party leader has previously argued that opposition leaders should first build their individual political support bases before deciding who will represent them in the presidential contest.

Gachagua Promises to Back Whoever Is Chosen

Gachagua also said he would support the opposition candidate if leaders eventually chose someone other than him.

He said his supporters would similarly back the person selected, regardless of who emerges from the process.

“In the unfortunate event they don’t agree with me and they choose somebody else; I also want to give you my open mind. I and my supporters will support that person unconditionally.”

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Gachagua said he had asked his colleagues to make the same commitment publicly.