The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged opposition leaders to agree on a joint presidential candidate behind closed doors and announce their choice no earlier than five months before the August 2027 General Election.
Gachagua argued that revealing the candidate too soon could expose them to political intimidation and interference from government agencies, potentially undermining their campaigns before the election.
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The former Deputy President accused President William Ruto of targeting opposition figures he considers political threats, citing Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Linda Mwananchi presidential aspirant Edwin Sifuna and himself as examples.
Speaking during an interview with KTN News, Gachagua described Ruto as hostile towards his political rivals, claiming that the President responds aggressively whenever an opposition figure appears to be gaining political momentum.
He argued that opposition leaders should first reach a private agreement on their preferred candidate before making the announcement at a strategically chosen time.
“We should quietly agree and keep quiet, okay? At the right time, unleash the candidate. From that day, the election is won. It is over, and we wait for August 10 for confirmation,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua warns against early announcement
Gachagua claimed that publicly naming the opposition candidate too early could expose them to investigations, police action and other forms of pressure that might limit their ability to campaign freely.
He alleged that government agencies, including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and anti-corruption authorities, could be used to frustrate the opposition’s preferred candidate.
According to Gachagua, such actions could make it difficult for the candidate to move around the country and engage voters.
He maintained that waiting until about five months before the election would reduce the period available for potential interference and allow the opposition to launch a coordinated campaign closer to the polls.
Gachagua says political climate changes near elections
The DCP leader further argued that government officials and security officers could become less willing to carry out what he described as unlawful instructions as election day approaches.
He claimed that officials would be more cautious about taking political actions against opposition figures because they would also be assessing public opinion and the possibility of a change in government.
Gachagua said this shift in the political environment would give the opposition a better opportunity to campaign once its joint presidential candidate is announced.
However, his assertions about government agencies targeting political opponents were allegations made by the former Deputy President and were not independently established in the remarks provided.
Opposition urged to build consensus
Gachagua acknowledged that opposition leaders had yet to agree on a common method of selecting their presidential candidate.
He said they should use the remaining period to negotiate, build consensus and prepare a unified campaign strategy before publicly unveiling their choice.
In his view, reaching an agreement early while delaying the public announcement would help the opposition avoid internal disagreements while ensuring its eventual candidate enters the race with sufficient momentum.
The former Deputy President also cited his experience in Kenyan politics, pointing to his involvement in successive election cycles dating back to the transition to multiparty politics in 1992.
He listed the 1997, 2002, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022 elections as part of his political experience, arguing that his understanding of Ruto, whom he served as Deputy President, informed his advice to opposition leaders.
Gachagua urged opposition figures to consider his recommendation as they explore ways to unite behind a single candidate capable of challenging Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
