Gachagua predicts opposition principal will walk away as 2027 race takes shape

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has predicted that one of Kenya’s opposition principals will eventually withdraw from the race for the presidency as rival leaders negotiate a deal to field a single candidate against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, September 27, Gachagua said the opposition’s eventual presidential candidate should be determined by what he described as the most practical, efficient and cost-effective political arrangement.

He also sought to portray himself as willing to accept the outcome of negotiations, saying he would support whichever formula the opposition ultimately adopts.

“One single presidential candidate will be announced. One person will go away; that one person will go away on his own,” Gachagua said.

He added that he expected to remain part of the eventual political arrangement.

“I can assure you that Riggy-G will be announced as part of the winning team because Riggy-G cannot walk away. He will stick with the arrangement,” he said.

Gachagua leaves identity of rival open

Gachagua did not name the opposition leader he expects to leave the contest, instead suggesting that the decision would emerge from negotiations between the various political principals.

“If it is not Riggy-G, it is somebody else; we will be informed by how practical it is, how efficient it is, and how cost-effective it is,” he said.

He went on to describe a possible arrangement in which some political leaders would unite behind another candidate while one principal would effectively leave the presidential contest.

“Tuangalie ile formula kabisa tukiamua ni Fulani waungane na Fulani na Fulani, huyu mtu anaenda nyumbani round one na anaenda kabisa bila kurudi,” Gachagua said.

His comments suggest that he sees the opposition’s presidential ticket as a product of negotiations rather than an automatic entitlement for any of the individual principals.

Gachagua said the central consideration should be the coalition’s ability to consolidate support and defeat Ruto in the first round.

‘Patriotic duty’ to remove Ruto

The former deputy president also linked the anticipated negotiations to the political manoeuvring that preceded the 2022 General Election.

He argued that opposition leaders should learn from previous electoral realignments and establish a workable formula early enough for all the principals to accept the eventual outcome.

Gachagua described supporting an effective opposition arrangement as a patriotic responsibility.

“I want the people of Kenya to trust me that I have an idea and I know what needs to be done because it is imperative and it is a must to restore the country,” he said.

He added: “The first step of restoring our country is to remove William Ruto. So it is my patriotic duty to my motherland to come up and support the most effective formula for getting this man out in the first round.”

The remarks underline Gachagua’s stated position that opposition unity should take precedence over individual presidential ambitions.

Gachagua predicts opposition unity

Gachagua also rejected suggestions that the opposition principals would be unable to reach an agreement.

“You know these people of Kasongo; they are calling our people ati, ‘hawa watu hawawezi skizana’… Kasongo and your people you will be shocked,” he said.

He described his prediction as being based on political experience rather than any claim to supernatural foresight.

“I want to prophesy today, not because I am a prophet but out of experience,” Gachagua said.

The remarks come as opposition leaders continue to explore ways of coordinating ahead of the 2027 election, with the question of who would ultimately carry a united presidential ticket remaining unresolved.

For now, Gachagua has not identified the opposition principal he believes will walk away from the race.

His comments therefore leave open one of the central questions surrounding the emerging opposition alliance: which leader, if any, will eventually step aside in favour of a single candidate.

Other News: University of Eldoret lecturer faces disciplinary action over Ruto 2027 remarks