NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has turned President William Ruto’s proposal to explore buffalo milk production into a political punchline, using the idea to mock the government while signalling readiness for a possible opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri on Wednesday, October 21, Gachagua joked that he had sent young men to nearby Hombe Forest to look for buffalo milk to serve leaders expected to visit him.
“I came back home and found that you have been told to start taking buffalo milk. I am at my home, Wamunyoro. Because there are so many buffaloes at Hombe Forest, I have sent young men to see if they can get some milk so that I can get enough to prepare for my visitors,” he said.
The remarks followed his return from an extended tour of the United States and a meeting with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other leaders associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement at his Nyeri home.
The meeting has fuelled speculation about efforts to bring opposition figures together before the 2027 polls. Reports indicate the discussions included the possibility of a joint presidential candidate to challenge Ruto.
How Ruto’s Buffalo Milk Proposal Became Political Ammunition
Ruto raised the idea of diversifying Kenya’s milk supply during the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Summit at the Jamhuri Park ASK Showground in Nairobi on October 8.
The President said the country should explore alternative dairy sources, including buffaloes and camels, as part of efforts to increase production.
“I hear buffaloes also produce a lot of milk. If others are milking them, why can’t we do the same? What is wrong with that? We need to diversify our sources of milk,” Ruto said.
The proposal came amid concerns about milk availability and supply constraints affecting Kenya’s dairy market. Ruto’s broader argument was that diversifying livestock production could expand the country’s sources of milk.
Gachagua, however, seized on the suggestion to ridicule the administration, portraying it as an unusual response to a problem affecting ordinary consumers.
His latest remarks extend his criticism of the government’s handling of milk supply, which he had also questioned during his political engagements earlier in October.
Gachagua Names Possible Opposition Candidates
Beyond the joke, Gachagua used his remarks to underline his willingness to negotiate with other political leaders over a possible common presidential candidate.
He said he had returned to Kenya because political activity needed to be revived and argued that opposition leaders should work together to remove Ruto from power.
The former Deputy President said he was open to discussions without preconditions, suggesting that he, Sifuna or Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka could potentially emerge as a joint candidate.
“We held talks with those young men…they are good people. I told them that our people are looking for friends. They should come without conditions so that we can come to a consensus and produce one person; be either Rigathi Gachagua or Kalonzo Musyoka or Edwin Sifuna,” he said.
The remarks point to an early contest over both coalition-building and the selection of a candidate capable of uniting different opposition constituencies.
DCP Expansion Among Gachagua’s Priorities
Gachagua also outlined plans to strengthen his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), increase its representation in Parliament and protect the interests of his political supporters.
He said the party should aim to secure more than 100 MPs, presenting a stronger parliamentary presence as part of his wider political strategy.
“I have come so that we can plan how to send Ruto home with our people…how our people will not be labelled tribalists, how Uhuru [Kenyatta] will not be insulted by anyone; grow our party DCP so that we shall ensure we have more than 100 MPs,” he said.
His comments come as political figures begin positioning themselves for the next election, with the meeting between Gachagua and Sifuna adding another dimension to discussions about cooperation among leaders opposed to Ruto’s re-election.
