NAIROBI, Kenya – Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has assured Kenyans that the opposition will field one presidential candidate against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a church service at St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Dracut, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 11, Gachagua dismissed claims that opposition leaders were divided and said they were committed to choosing a single candidate.
He told Kenyans in the diaspora that the opposition wanted to win the election in the first round and that he would do what was necessary to secure unity.
“Seventy-three days before elections, Mwai Kibaki was announced as the single presidential candidate, and he went ahead to win with 67 percent of votes,” he said.
“They don’t know the people of Kenya. They don’t know the decisions that have been made by the people of Kenya.”
The assurance comes as several opposition figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 race.
Gachagua has declared interest in the presidency, while other potential contenders include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Party leader Dr Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and Justin Muturi.
Last week, while speaking at a church service in Springfield, Massachusetts, Gachagua said opposition aspirants would have to make sacrifices to avoid splitting the vote.
He said he was ready to give up his own presidential ambition if that was necessary to defeat Ruto.
But choosing a flagbearer remains a major test for the opposition. Gachagua has previously predicted that one principal could walk away after the coalition selects its candidate.
He said he would remain in the arrangement and support whoever was chosen, even if he did not secure the ticket.
The opposition has repeatedly promised to unite behind one candidate, but its leaders are also building separate political parties and bases of support.
Negotiations will have to address how a candidate is chosen and whether those who lose the contest will honour the outcome.
Gachagua’s latest remarks were made during his ongoing US tour, where he has been meeting Kenyans living abroad.
His message in Dracut was aimed at reassuring supporters that the opposition’s competing ambitions would not prevent it from presenting a single challenger to Ruto in 2027.
