Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua/HANDOUTDemocracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has said the opposition will not rush to settle on a single presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, insisting that political parties must first consolidate their support bases before discussions on a joint flag bearer.
Speaking on Wednesday, Gachagua said there was still sufficient time for opposition leaders to mobilise supporters across the country before deciding who would carry the coalition's presidential ticket.
He said every opposition leader should focus on strengthening support in their respective regions and constituencies before engaging in negotiations on a unified candidature.
"There is no hurry to arrive at a single presidential candidate," Gachagua said.
"First things first. How do you support a candidate before you consolidate? We also need to sit down and look at the level of consolidation because that will be a factor."
The former Deputy President said discussions on a joint presidential candidate should only take place after each political formation has completed its mobilisation efforts and established the level of support it commands.
He cited the 2002 General Election, saying the opposition settled on former President Mwai Kibaki as its presidential candidate only a few weeks before the election.
"In 2002, Mwai Kibaki was named the opposition flag bearer on October 14, while the election was on December 27. There is still time," he said.
Gachagua said he was still traversing the country to popularise DCP and would continue visiting different counties as part of the party's mobilisation strategy.
He mentioned planned visits to counties including Kajiado and Narok, saying the exercise was aimed at expanding the party's national support base.
"I am still selling the party. I am not yet comfortable because I have not finalised consolidating what I believe I can consolidate. Once I do, then I will say I am ready," he said.
He added that once all leaders had completed their mobilisation efforts, they would be in a better position to hold discussions on the way forward.
The DCP leader said the party's immediate priority remains political mobilisation and consolidation rather than coalition negotiations.
"So, for now, our priority as DCP is consultations to agree on the way forward and consolidation. Once we finish consolidation, then we can talk," he said.
Gachagua maintained that political mobilisation is the first step towards forming government, arguing that parties must first secure and organise their support before negotiating broader political arrangements.
His remarks come a day after DCP ruled out joining the revived Azimio coalition, saying the party would instead continue building its own political structures while remaining open to future cooperation with like-minded political formations.
DCP said the party would not fold into any existing coalition, insisting that its focus was on strengthening its presence across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua's latest remarks further clarify the party's strategy, indicating that coalition talks will only be considered after individual parties complete their mobilisation and assess their political strength.
