Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua addressing Kenyans living in the United States /HANDOUTDemocracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has pledged that opposition presidential aspirants will sacrifice ambitions to have one candidate to face President William Ruto.
Gachagua, who has declared his intention to contest the presidency, said opposition leaders must put aside their individual ambitions and rally behind one candidate to avoid splitting the vote.
“I want to assure you, we shall make whatever sacrifices possible to have one single presidential candidate to face William Ruto in 2027,” he said.
He was speaking during a church service at PCEA Tumaini Church in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he addressed Kenyans living in the United States.
Gachagua said he currently considers himself a leading contender in the opposition field and claimed to have millions of supporters behind him.
“As we speak, I am the frontrunner. I have millions of people behind me,” he said.
However, the former Deputy President said he would be willing to give up his presidential ambition if the opposition agreement required him to do so.
“But if the situation calls that I sacrifice my ambition, so that we win and restore our country, I will do so at 6am,” he said.
“I am that patriotic, I am that selfless.”
Gachagua’s remarks come as opposition presidential hopefuls continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 election while maintaining that they will eventually settle on one candidate to challenge Ruto.
The opposition’s unity plan is expected to face its biggest test during negotiations over who will emerge as the joint presidential flagbearer.
The major contenders have already established political vehicles, with Gachagua leading the DCP, Kalonzo Musyoka leading Wiper, Fred Matiang’i associated with Jubilee, Martha Karua leading the People’s Liberation Party and Eugene Wamalwa leading DAP-K. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has also unveiled The Equitable Party, which he intends to rebrand as Linda Mwananchi.
Gachagua has previously predicted that one of the principals could eventually walk away when they pick a joint candidate to face Ruto.
“One presidential candidate will be announced, one person will go away. That one person will go away on his own,” he said recently.
However, he maintained that he would remain within the opposition arrangement even if he was not selected as the presidential flagbearer.
“And the single presidential candidate will be elected by 75 per cent of the Kenyan vote,” Gachagua said.
“Riggy G will be part of the winning team. This is because Riggy G will not be that fellow who will walk away; he will stick with the arrangement that has been agreed upon by the people of Kenya.”
