Gachagua Predicts Opposition Split After 2027 Flagbearer Selection

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he expects one of the opposition’s presidential hopefuls to leave the coalition after a joint candidate is selected to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking to Kenyans living in Dallas, United States, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader compared the current opposition realignment to the events leading up to the 2002 General Election.

Gachagua recalled how opposition leaders united behind former President Mwai Kibaki under the “Kibaki Tosha” slogan, while then presidential contender Simeon Nyachae declined to join the arrangement.

“Just the way William Ruto’s people are talking, it is the same way Daniel arap Moi’s supporters talked in the 2002 elections,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua recalls 2002 opposition alliance

According to Gachagua, the opposition’s decision to rally behind Kibaki at Uhuru Park marked a major moment in the run-up to the 2002 election.

“At Uhuru Park, there was a meeting and it was declared ‘Kibaki Tosha’. There was one opposition presidential candidate and Simeon Nyachae walked away. Nyachae went alone,” he recalled.

Gachagua said he believes a comparable situation could emerge as opposition leaders negotiate over a joint presidential candidate for 2027.

“I want to prophesy today, not because I am a prophet but based on experience, foresight and understanding Kenyan politics, history will repeat itself,” he said.

He added that, in his view, one of the presidential hopefuls could eventually leave the coalition after the flagbearer is selected.

“One presidential candidate will be announced, one person will go away. That one person will go away on his own,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua did not identify the opposition leader he was referring to.

Gachagua says he will support coalition candidate

Gachagua, who has declared his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, said he would remain within the opposition coalition even if he does not secure its presidential ticket.

“Riggy G will be part of the winning team. This is because Riggy G will not be that fellow who will walk away; he will stick with the arrangement that has been agreed upon by the people of Kenya,” he said.

He also stated that the eventual opposition candidate would receive 75 per cent of the Kenyan vote, a prediction rather than an established electoral outcome.

Gachagua challenges rivals to make commitment

The DCP leader has previously called on opposition principals seeking the presidential ticket to publicly commit to supporting whoever is eventually selected.

He said such a commitment should also apply to leaders who fail to secure the nomination, arguing that accepting the outcome would be important to maintaining opposition unity.

“I may not talk for other people because people may let you down. I want to speak for myself and say that if it is not me, I will support whoever will be picked as the opposition flagbearer unconditionally,” Gachagua said.