NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has renewed the opposition’s commitment to fielding a single presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election, saying the goal is to defeat President William Ruto.
Gachagua said leaders under the United Alternative Government had met and agreed to work towards presenting one presidential candidate to Kenyans, regardless of the formula used to arrive at the nominee.
In a statement, Gachagua declared that the opposition’s plan, which he referred to as “WANTAM”, would become a reality one year from the 2027 General Election.
“WANTAM is real and will happen one year from today,” Gachagua said.
He said the leaders had renewed their commitment to unite behind one candidate in an effort to remove Ruto from power and restore what he described as the country’s dignity.
“One year to the 2027 General Election, we met this afternoon and renewed our commitment that no matter what, we shall have one single presidential candidate to send Mr. William Ruto home and restore our country and the dignity of Kenyans,” he said.
The meeting brought together several leaders associated with the opposition grouping, including former Justice Minister Martha Karua, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, former Makueni Senator Lenny Kivuti and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.
Gachagua also acknowledged Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who was represented at the meeting by Nyali MP Mohamed Ali.
The former Deputy President singled out Karua for praise, describing her as the “Iron Lady” and crediting her with helping bring the opposition leaders together.
“Thank you my sister the Iron Lady Hon. Martha Karua for being the mother of our liberation and always bringing us together,” Gachagua said.
He also thanked Muturi, Matiang’i, Munya, Kivuti, Wamalwa and Ali for participating in the discussions.
The renewed pledge comes as opposition leaders intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, with the question of whether the fragmented opposition can agree on a single presidential candidate remaining a major issue.
Gachagua’s remarks suggest the United Alternative Government intends to prioritise unity over individual presidential ambitions as it seeks to mount a coordinated challenge against Ruto.
However, the mechanism for selecting the proposed joint candidate has yet to be publicly outlined, leaving the question of who will carry the opposition ticket unresolved.
