NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said his only regret, if he is not picked as the united opposition’s presidential flagbearer in 2027, would be losing the chance to square off against President William Ruto on the debate stage.
Speaking on Friday at the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) National Delegates Conference, Gachagua declared that he supports ongoing talks to field a single opposition candidate.
He said the top priority is ensuring President Ruto faces a united challenge, though he admitted he personally relishes the prospect of confronting his former ally head-on.
“I would only have one disappointment if I am not chosen. Just one… I will miss the opportunity to face William Ruto in the presidential debate,” he told delegates, drawing laughter.
The former DP urged fellow aspirants to take their campaigns to the grassroots, sell their vision, and win the trust of Kenyans, stressing that the eventual candidate must emerge from persuasion rather than entitlement.
“Go and sell your candidature, your vision, and convince Kenyans that you can be President,” he said. “When we sit, we want to assure the people of Kenya that we shall sacrifice, for this country, to make sure that under whatever circumstances, we have one presidential candidate to face him.”
Taking a swipe at Ruto’s re-election prospects, Gachagua declared: “William Ruto knows his goose is cooked. He knows the joint opposition will send him home by 10 am.”
He pledged to rally behind PLP leader Martha Karua or any other aspirant who proves capable of defeating the incumbent.
“If you are able to convince us… that you are the right person, I’ll campaign for you the way I campaigned for William Ruto,” he added.
Gachagua’s remarks were widely read as both a nod to coalition unity and a signal of his own ambitions.
While insisting the opposition must remain inclusive and organized at the grassroots, he made clear that his preference is to lead that unity and take on Ruto in 2027 under the glare of a presidential debate.
