DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua appears to be narrowing his preferred line-up of opposition presidential contenders to three names — himself, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
Speaking to Kenyans in Spokane, Washington, on Sunday Gachagua repeatedly invoked the three names when discussing possible opposition line-ups for the 2027 presidential election.
This is despite several other opposition leaders having also declared or signalled interest in the race.
As the race to challenge President William Ruto gathers momentum, Gachagua said he was even prepared to deputise Sifuna if the political arithmetic showed that the Linda Mwananchi leader offered the opposition its best chance of defeating Ruto.
“If we do our arithmetic and find that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will send President William Ruto home early, so be it,” Gachagua said.
He added that he would have no problem deputising Sifuna, while Sifuna could similarly deputise him or Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can also deputise Kalonzo Musyoka. Kalonzo can also deputise Sifuna,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua described all three as “serious presidential contenders”, effectively putting himself, Kalonzo and Sifuna in the same conversation over who could lead the opposition into the 2027 contest.
“Riggy G here is a serious candidate, my cousin Kalonzo Musyoka is a serious candidate, and we can give to anybody, including Sifuna,” he said.
Gachagua's repeated references to Kalonzo and Sifuna could point to an emerging three-way calculation within the opposition, in which the eventual presidential candidate would be determined by the leader who can assemble the strongest push against Ruto.
The former deputy president has previously appeared to warm up to Kalonzo's presidential ambitions, including backing the idea of a possible Wiper-DCP over Nairobi.
In late November 2025, Gachagua publicly claimed he and Kalonzo had reached an arrangement under which DCP would take the lead in fielding candidates for Nairobi’s major elective positions in 2027.
The logic appeared to be a trade-off around the 2027 presidential ticket, where by DCP would get Nairobi's elective positions while supporting Kalonzo at the national level.
At the May 14 burial of EALA legislator Kanini Kega's mother in Kieni, Gachagua publicly said: “We will work with Sifuna and his team.” He also described Sifuna as a young politician with significant influence nationally.
His latest comments also come as other opposition figures seek to position themselves for the 2027 race.
DP leader Justin Muturi has also endorsed Kalonzo, declaring that if he doesn’t get the ticket, then the only other politician he will back is the Wiper boss.
Gachagua insisted that the opposition should be ready to support whichever candidate emerges as the strongest challenger to Ruto.
“If you persuade us that you are the best person to take Ruto home, we will rally behind you. There is no problem,” he said.
He said the same for Kalonzo, noting he could support the veteran politician if he demonstrated that he was best placed to win.
“If Kalonzo convinces us, why not? I, Riggy G, can do it, why not?” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks could also be interpreted as a strong endorsement of Sifuna's presidential ambition, coming shortly after COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli questioned whether the Nairobi senator was ready to seek the presidency.
Atwoli had argued that Sifuna needed to build a stronger political team and broaden his national reach before making a presidential bid.
Gachagua dismissed the age argument, pointing to Sifuna's age of 44 and the election of Barack Obama as US president at 47.
“I have told my younger brother, do not be discouraged by anybody, go for it,” he said.
