NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared himself the unifying force behind opposition efforts to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, vowing to continue hosting political leaders at his Wamunyoro residence.
Gachagua said the meetings were aimed at bringing opposition figures together and identifying a single presidential candidate to face Ruto in the next election.
Speaking during a church service in Kiambu County on Sunday, November 15, 2026, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader defended the consultations at his Nyeri home, dismissing criticism of the gatherings.
He said the meetings would continue despite complaints about opposition leaders holding discussions under trees at Wamunyoro.
“I am the one bringing people together. If you see people coming to Wamunyoro, it is because I am a leader,” Gachagua said.
He described himself as the “glue” holding the opposition leaders together, arguing that his role was to facilitate discussions among politicians with different political interests.
Gachagua Announces Fresh Meeting With Kalonzo and Wamalwa
The former Deputy President announced that he would host another meeting on Monday, November 16, bringing together himself, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa.
He said the consultations were part of a series of engagements involving opposition leaders as they explore ways to build a common political front ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gachagua also cited previous meetings with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, adding that Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua would be included in future discussions.
“Last week, Kalonzo, Matiang’i and I held a meeting. The other day, we met with Sifuna, and soon we will also sit down with Martha,” he said.
The consultations have brought together leaders from different political parties and movements, although their participation does not necessarily mean they have agreed on a common presidential candidate or coalition arrangement.
Gachagua Responds to Ruto Over Wamunyoro Meetings
Gachagua also responded to President William Ruto’s reported remarks about the opposition leaders meeting at his residence.
He told the President not to be concerned about the gatherings, arguing that the discussions were focused on organising a political challenge against his administration.
“I have seen the President complain that people are meeting at Wamunyoro under trees. Mr President, do not complain. If you are not aware, those three leaders are meeting to plan how you will go home,” he said.
The remarks underscore the increasingly direct political exchanges between Gachagua and Ruto as leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Opposition Leaders Yet to Settle on Presidential Candidate
The Wamunyoro meetings have emerged as an important platform for opposition consultations, with Gachagua, Kalonzo and other political figures exploring possible cooperation.
In October, Kalonzo visited Gachagua at Wamunyoro as the two leaders discussed opposition unity and the possibility of fielding a joint presidential candidate. Gachagua has also hosted Sifuna and Wamalwa in separate engagements.
Earlier reports indicated that opposition leaders were considering when to announce a joint presidential flagbearer, with discussions also focusing on allowing individual parties to consolidate their political bases before negotiations over the ticket.
However, the opposition has yet to publicly settle on a single candidate, with several leaders maintaining their own political ambitions and support bases.
Gachagua said he was prepared to make sacrifices to bring the different political groups together, insisting that consultations would continue until the opposition made progress towards a common political direction.
His latest remarks position Wamunyoro as a continuing centre of opposition negotiations, even as the leaders face the challenge of turning their meetings into a formal and workable political alliance.
