Fresh divisions could be emerging within Kenya’s opposition after Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua admitted that he has reservations about the coalition’s ability to remain united ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking to Kenyans living in the United States on Sunday, September 27, Gachagua questioned whether some opposition leaders were fully committed to supporting whoever emerges as the coalition’s presidential candidate.
The former Deputy President said some opposition principals had previously shown signs of unreliability, making it difficult to determine whether all the leaders would ultimately rally behind one candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
Gachagua said he was prepared to support any candidate selected by the opposition if he was not chosen, and challenged other potential presidential contenders to make the same commitment publicly.
"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," Gachagua stated.
The DCP leader also called on fellow aspirants to ask their supporters to back whoever is eventually selected, instead of making statements suggesting they could support President William Ruto if their preferred candidate misses out.
"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," he added.
Gachagua said remarks from supporters threatening to abandon the opposition coalition if their preferred candidate is not selected could undermine efforts to build a united political front.
He argued that such statements create uncertainty over whether opposition leaders are genuinely prepared to accept a consensus candidate, particularly as negotiations over the coalition's presidential ticket continue.
The former Deputy President maintained that Kenyans had made their preference clear — they want the opposition to settle on one candidate to face Ruto in the 2027 presidential contest.
According to Gachagua, the identity of the eventual candidate was less important than the opposition reaching an agreement and presenting a united front to voters.
"Kenyans are telling us we know who we want, but we know who we don't want. They are waiting for us to give them a candidate, and they don't care," he said.
His comments come as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition parties and leaders seeking to strengthen their alliances and negotiate a common strategy for the presidential race.
However, efforts to agree on a single candidate have continued to generate debate within the opposition, with some leaders pushing for an early decision while others favour waiting until closer to the election.
The timing of the announcement has emerged as one of the issues under discussion, with some leaders calling for the candidate to be identified early enough to allow the coalition to organise its campaigns, while others have suggested that the decision could be made around May 2027, about three months before the election.
Gachagua is among several opposition figures whose names have featured in discussions about a possible challenger to Ruto.
Other prominent figures include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i, among other opposition politicians.
The question of who will carry the opposition flag is expected to remain a major issue as the 2027 election approaches, particularly as parties seek to balance individual ambitions with efforts to establish a unified presidential campaign.
