Gachagua Backs Sifuna
Rigathi Gachagua offers to support and deputise Edwin Sifuna in the 2027 presidential election.
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Key Points
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Gachagua said the opposition had agreed in principle to field a single joint presidential candidate, with the aim of defeating President William Ruto in the first round.
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Sifuna is reportedly working to register a new political outfit after being removed as ODM secretary-general and has been building grassroots support through the Linda Mwananchi initiative.
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In challenging Francis Atwoli’s age argument, Gachagua cited Barack Obama and Theodore Roosevelt as examples of comparatively young leaders who rose to national leadership.
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The broader opposition bloc was described as including Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper, Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party, and former officials Fred Matiang’i and Eugene Wamalwa, although the alliance has not agreed on its presidential ticket.
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Gachagua framed the coalition calculation in explicitly electoral terms, saying that if the numbers showed Sifuna could defeat Ruto, “so be it,” and that he would accept serving as Sifuna’s deputy.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he would serve as running mate to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna if opposition leaders decide Sifuna can defeat President William Ruto in 2027. Speaking at a diaspora forum in Spokane, Washington, Gachagua rejected age concerns about Sifuna, citing young leaders like Barack Obama and Theodore Roosevelt who rose to power early Radio Kaya. The opposition has agreed in principle to field a single joint candidate aimed at winning in the first round.
Gachagua said the arrangement could also be reversed, with Sifuna as deputy to him or another candidate. He also flagged possible tickets involving Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka Capital FM. The broader opposition coalition — including Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party, Martha Karua's People's Liberation Party, and former officials Fred Matiang'i and Eugene Wamalwa — has yet to settle on its flag bearer or running mate Ghafla.
Gachagua Backs Sifuna Over Age Concerns
Gachagua directly challenged COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli's argument that Sifuna should wait before seeking the presidency. He said age should not disqualify any candidate from leading Kenya Pulse. Gachagua pointed to examples of young global leaders who succeeded early. Barack Obama became US president at 47. Theodore Roosevelt was 42 when he took office. "Let young people claim power now," Gachagua said, rather than being called "leaders of tomorrow."
Opposition Parties Weighing Electoral Math for 2027
Gachagua framed the coalition's presidential choice in purely electoral terms. He said the opposition would pick whoever has "the numbers" to beat Ruto in the first round Capital FM. "If the numbers show Sifuna can defeat Ruto, so be it," Gachagua said. The calculation reflects growing uncertainty about which candidate — Sifuna, Gachagua, or Musyoka — polls strongest against the incumbent Streamline Feed.
Sifuna Building Grassroots Base Without Formal Bid
Sifuna has not formally declared a presidential run. He was removed as ODM secretary-general and is reportedly working to register a new political party Radio Kaya. Sifuna has been building grassroots support through the Linda Mwananchi initiative, positioning himself as a potential opposition face. His candidacy remains conditional on both the opposition's endorsement and his ability to demonstrate electoral viability against Ruto Ghafla.
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