GACHAGUA QUASHES KALONZO ENDORSEMENT BUZZ

Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed reports claiming he has endorsed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka as the United Opposition's presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election, insisting that no such decision has been made.

Speaking at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on Saturday, July 4, Gachagua rejected media reports suggesting the opposition had already settled on Kalonzo as the coalition's flag bearer, saying only one decision has been reached so far—that President William Ruto will face a united challenge in 2027.

"We have resolved that William Ruto will be replaced, but the choice of who takes up that role is still pending. The newspaper should stop misleading people; we are too smart to be confused. We know exactly who we're dealing with and we're proceeding with caution," Gachagua said.

The former deputy president maintained that although he continues to work closely with Kalonzo, the opposition coalition has not agreed on its presidential candidate. According to him, the identity of the eventual flag bearer will remain a closely guarded secret until the coalition is ready to unveil its choice.

His remarks come amid growing speculation over who will carry the opposition's banner against President William Ruto, following reports that Gachagua had shelved his own presidential ambitions in favour of the Wiper leader.

Gachagua's latest clarification reflects a wider debate that has been simmering within the opposition over when—and how—to choose its presidential candidate.

Earlier this year, Kalonzo, who convenes the opposition alliance, proposed that the coalition settle on its flag bearer within the first quarter of 2026. He argued that an early decision would give the candidate enough time to campaign nationally and reassure Kenyans ahead of the election.

"I personally think within the first quarter, we should have agreed on who our flagbearer is because Kenyans want certainty... to make sure that William Ruto will not rig the coming election," Kalonzo said at the time.

Gachagua, however, publicly rejected that proposal, insisting the coalition should wait until much closer to the election before unveiling its candidate. He argued that naming a flag bearer too early would expose the individual to prolonged political attacks and state pressure.

Drawing parallels with the 2002 elections, he noted that former President Mwai Kibaki was unveiled as the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) presidential candidate only a few months before the polls, a strategy he believes worked in the coalition's favour.

Gachagua remarks come days after businessman and Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi cautioned against settling on Kalonzo, speaking during a radio interview, Wanjigi described Kalonzo as a leader who lacks the momentum needed to inspire a nationwide political movement.

Referring to his experience working alongside Kalonzo during Raila Odinga's 2017 presidential campaign, Wanjigi argued that despite decades in politics, the former vice president has struggled to build a strong national political base beyond his Ukambani stronghold.

He warned that presenting Kalonzo as the opposition's candidate would hand President Ruto an easy path to re-election and criticised what he termed an overreliance on ethnic arithmetic instead of a compelling national agenda.

Although he has denied endorsing Kalonzo, Gachagua had previously acknowledged the Wiper leader's credentials while making it clear that every presidential hopeful in the coalition must demonstrate electoral strength.

During a rally in Machakos earlier this year, Gachagua said Kalonzo would need to deliver at least four million votes from the Ukambani region to strengthen his case for the coalition's ticket.
While describing Kalonzo as an experienced leader with a clean record free from corruption scandals, Gachagua insisted that political experience alone would not determine the coalition's choice.

He argued that all aspirants would be judged on their ability to mobilise votes, noting that he personally brings an estimated six million votes from the Mt Kenya region, with support from other coalition principals expected to build a winning national alliance.

For now, Gachagua insists that speculation over the opposition's presidential candidate is premature, maintaining that while coalition partners remain united in their determination to challenge President Ruto in 2027, the identity of the person who will carry that flag has not yet been agreed upon.