Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cautioned United Opposition leaders against allowing their supporters to threaten to vote for President William Ruto if their preferred candidate is not selected to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview with KTN on Wednesday, October 28, Gachagua said all opposition presidential aspirants must publicly pledge to support whoever is chosen to represent the coalition in the August 2027 General Election.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader maintained that anyone seeking his backing must be willing to rally behind another candidate if they fail to secure the coalition's presidential ticket.
“I have told my colleagues that if you want my support, you must publicly commit that in case it is not you, you are willing to support others,” said Gachagua.
Gachagua criticised opposition politicians who remain silent when their supporters threaten to vote for Ruto should their preferred candidate miss out on the ticket.
He argued that such statements undermine the coalition's unity and that aspirants must openly demonstrate their willingness to support a common candidate.
“This idea of your supporters saying, ‘If it is not so-and-so, then we will vote for Ruto,’ is unacceptable to me, and it only happens when you're quiet,” Gachagua stated.
Despite calling for unity, the former deputy president maintained that he considers himself the strongest candidate to lead the opposition in the 2027 presidential race.
He cited his mobilisation capacity, energy and ability to raise resources as some of the qualities that make him suitable for the position.
However, Gachagua insisted that his personal ambitions would not prevent him from supporting another aspirant if the coalition adopted a selection formula that did not favour him.
“I think I am the most suitable candidate to be identified as the flag bearer for the United Opposition in terms of sheer energy, mobilisation of resources, and so on. But I have said many times: if the formula my colleagues agree on does not favour me, my supporters and I will support anyone unconditionally,” the former DP stated.
Gachagua also dismissed arguments that some opposition leaders could be effective at mobilising voters without being suitable presidential candidates.
Referring to remarks he said he had heard from a Jubilee politician, he argued that the presidency ultimately depends on winning votes rather than merely demonstrating the ability to mobilise supporters.
“I heard someone in Jubilee saying some principals are not electable but can mobilise votes. I want to tell that fellow that a president cannot be nominated; he needs to be voted in,” he said.
Gachagua, Kalonzo hold opposition unity talks
Gachagua's remarks come as opposition leaders step up consultations aimed at settling on a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in the August 10, 2027, General Election.
On Monday, October 26, the DCP leader hosted Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka for talks centred on strengthening opposition unity and pursuing a joint presidential candidature.
Following their meeting, the two leaders publicly committed to working towards fielding a single candidate against Ruto.
However, as of Wednesday, October 28, the opposition coalition had yet to announce its preferred presidential flag bearer, leaving the question of who will lead the alliance unresolved.
Gachagua's latest remarks underline his position that the coalition's presidential selection process must be accompanied by an explicit commitment from all aspirants to support the eventual nominee, regardless of who wins the ticket.
