NAIROBI, Kenya- Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has declared his interest in becoming the United Alternative Government’s presidential candidate in 2027, while promising to support another candidate if the opposition coalition settles on a different flag bearer.
Gachagua made the position clear on Monday as he presented the outcome of his 55-day political consultations with Kenyans at his Wamunyoro residence.
The former Deputy President said the consultations produced three key objectives, including the need for the opposition to unite behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
But while Gachagua wants the ticket for himself, he said his personal ambition should not stand in the way of a united opposition campaign.
“That Rigathi Gachagua shall be the preferred Presidential candidate of the United Alternative Government in the 2027 general election,” he said.
Gachagua argued that Kenyans who participated in the consultations had instructed him to persuade his colleagues that he was best placed to lead the opposition into the election.
“I have the energy, I have the trust of the people, I have the leadership, I have the experience, the infrastructure, I have the capacity, and the political network to deliver victory,” he said.
However, the DCP leader immediately tempered his declaration by acknowledging that the final decision would have to be made through negotiations within the opposition alliance.
“In the event that my colleagues persuade me otherwise, I should not and I will not be the reason why the united alternative government should fail to have one presidential candidate,” Gachagua said.
His position echoes remarks he made earlier in August, when he said he was prepared to campaign for whoever emerges as the opposition’s presidential candidate if he does not secure the ticket. Gachagua had said he could even serve as the campaign director of the eventual candidate.
Gachagua wants one opposition candidate
Gachagua said the United Alternative Government must settle on one presidential candidate rather than risk splitting the anti-Ruto vote.
“That the United Alternative Government must identify One Presidential candidate to contest the 2027 General Election,” he said.
He argued that opposition leaders would need to make sacrifices, including putting aside individual ambitions, if they were to defeat Ruto at the ballot.
“This is the only way to send this brutal regime home, one way and round one on 10th August 2027,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President has spent weeks positioning DCP as part of a wider opposition coalition, with his Wamunyoro consultations bringing together political leaders, professionals, clergy, youth and grassroots representatives from different parts of the country.
A test of opposition unity
Gachagua’s declaration now puts the question of the opposition’s 2027 flag bearer firmly on the political agenda.
His willingness to support another candidate could make it easier for him to negotiate with other opposition leaders, although the strength of that commitment will ultimately be tested when the coalition begins the actual process of choosing its candidate.
As he concluded his 55-day consultations, he said the political journey ahead was now focused squarely on the 2027 election.
“I am playing a bigger role to send it Ruto home come 10th August 2027 on the ballot,” he said.
