Gachagua declares himself opposition’s unifying factor, promises one candidate against Ruto

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has offered to shelve his presidential ambitions if doing so would help the United Opposition field a single candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Declaring himself an opposition unifying factor, the former Deputy President said unity was the only formula capable of preventing the opposition from splitting its vote and giving President Ruto an advantage in the forthcoming polls.

"In the fullness of time, we (United Opposition) will announce a single candidate to face William Ruto and send him home in the forthcoming General Election," said Mr Gachagua.

He dismissed rumours that the opposition was facing cracks, terming the claims wishful thinking being peddled by Kenya Kwanza politicians and bloggers who, he said, had already panicked following the recent Ol Kalou by-election defeat.

"The noise you hear in the opposition is friendly fire. All the principals, including Linda Mwananchi political formation led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, have agreed on a single candidate formula; the noise is about how to pick the candidate and when to announce him, but we will agree eventually. It's internal democracy that ought not to be mistaken for division," said Mr Gachagua.

The DCP leader revealed that government operatives had been trying to entice some principals, without mentioning names, to join the government in an attempt to dismantle the opposition ahead of the polls.

Also Read: Moment of truth for Gachagua

"We are aware the State has been approaching some of the principals, but they are out of reproach. We are aware of their gimmicks and ready for them," he added, before castigating Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, whom he said had betrayed his brother by taking his seat when he was impeached.