Former DP Rigathi Gachagua speaking at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County. [Mose Sammy, Standard]
Former DP Rigathi Gachagua has declared himself the preferred presidential candidate of the United Alternative Government for the 2027 General Election, while pledging to step aside if opposition leaders agree that another candidate has a better chance of defeating President William Ruto.
Speaking after concluding his consultations with political leaders, professionals, religious leaders, youth, women, elders and grassroots representatives at his Wamunyoro home, Gachagua said Kenyans had given him three clear assignments — hold the government accountable, unite the opposition behind one presidential candidate and persuade his colleagues to back him for the presidency.
"Objective Number Three: That Rigathi Gachagua shall be the preferred Presidential candidate of the United Alternative Government in the 2027 general election," Gachagua said.
He said he had been instructed to convince his colleagues that he was the best candidate to deliver a first-round victory, citing his political experience, networks, infrastructure and what he described as the trust of Kenyans.
“I have the energy, I have the trust of the people, I have the leadership, I have the experience, the infrastructure, I have the capacity, and the political network to deliver victory,” he said.
But Gachagua sought to strike a conciliatory tone on the question of an opposition alliance, saying his personal ambition would not stand in the way of efforts to field a single candidate against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“In the event that my colleagues persuade me otherwise, I should not and I will not be the reason why the United Alternative Government should fail to have one presidential candidate,” he said.