Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared himself the most suitable flagbearer to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 general election. Speaking exclusively to Citizen TV following the launch of his new political outfit, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), Gachagua emphasized his readiness to work with other opposition leaders, but made clear he sees himself as the strongest contender to lead the opposition charge.
Since his impeachment, Gachagua revealed that he has had no verbal contact with President Ruto and vowed to ensure Ruto is relegated to a single term. “We have many candidates. I am of the opinion that I am the best. I should be given the flagbearer of the team,” he stated confidently.
The former DP has been engaging with key opposition figures, including former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, as part of efforts to forge a united front against the current administration. He stressed that this unity is crucial and non-negotiable, drawing parallels to the opposition’s united stand against the Moi regime in 2002.
“The people of Kenya forced the opposition to be united against the Moi project. History is repeating itself,” Gachagua said, citing the widespread mismanagement, corruption, extrajudicial killings, and state capture that, in his view, have characterized President Ruto’s tenure.
Highlighting the urgency of opposition unity, Gachagua used a local proverb: “Buffalos don’t walk together in a herd because they like each other. It is the danger of walking alone. The danger we face in this country makes it mandatory to like each other, to liberate this country.”
Gachagua also criticized the government’s tactics aimed at undermining his political activities. His recent party launch was marred by chaos after unidentified goons disrupted the event. He condemned such actions and called on the government to respect democratic rights, saying, “You cannot force someone to support you. We have moved on, and we ask the president to let us be. Let him do his politics; we will do ours.”
The former Deputy President has clearly severed ties with President Ruto, whom he holds responsible for his impeachment, and is now positioning himself as a central figure in Kenya’s opposition landscape ahead of 2027.
