Gachagua Raises Fresh Concerns Over Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027 Election

Gachagua Raises Fresh Concerns Over Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027 Election

Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has raised fresh questions over the unity of Kenya’s opposition as political parties negotiate the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking to Kenyans living in the United States on Sunday, September 27, Gachagua challenged opposition leaders seeking the presidential ticket to publicly commit to supporting whoever is eventually selected.

Gachagua said he would back the coalition’s preferred candidate even if he is not chosen, but questioned whether all the other principals would make a similar commitment.

“From where I sit, I don’t want to talk about other people because they can disappoint you. I will support anyone who is chosen, if not me. And I challenge my brothers and sisters also to give a similar commitment publicly.”

The former Deputy President said some statements attributed to supporters of opposition leaders had contributed to his doubts about the coalition’s ability to remain united.

He particularly criticised suggestions that some leaders could support President William Ruto if their preferred opposition candidate is not selected.

“Some are a little bit slippery, and that is why I have a little doubt. I want them to tell their supporters to stop issuing some statements I hear in Kenya that if it is not so and so, then we’d better for Ruto, or so and so is the sixth, or Ruto remains the president.”

Gachagua said opposition principals should take responsibility for statements made by their supporters and encourage them to support the coalition’s eventual candidate.

His remarks come amid ongoing negotiations among opposition parties over how to select a joint presidential candidate for the August 2027 election. Several opposition leaders have expressed support for a united approach, although the process of settling on one candidate remains unresolved.

The DCP leader has previously argued that the opposition should not rush the selection process. Other politicians, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, have called for an earlier decision on the candidate.

In

June, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said opposition parties were working on a pact that would commit their leaders to supporting whoever emerges as the joint candidate.

Gachagua, however, has indicated that the final arrangement should be based on negotiations among the principals.

“If it is not Riggy-G, it is somebody else; we will be informed by how practical it is, how efficient it is, and how cost-effective it is.”

He has also predicted that one of the opposition principals could eventually leave the coalition after the presidential candidate is selected, although he did not identify the leader.

At the same time, Gachagua maintained that he would remain within the coalition regardless of who receives the presidential ticket.

“One single presidential candidate will be announced. One person will go away; that one person will go away on his own.”

The latest remarks add another layer to the opposition’s efforts to coordinate its 2027 strategy. Leaders including Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i have been mentioned in discussions surrounding the opposition’s political direction.

For now, opposition parties have yet to publicly settle the mechanism, timeline and candidate-selection formula that will determine their presidential ticket.’

The debate over unity is therefore expected to continue as the parties negotiate their political arrangements ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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Gachagua Raises Fresh Concerns Over Opposition Unity Ahead of 2027 Election