Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has finally disclosed when the United Opposition plans to unveil its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Murang’a County during the burial ceremony of the late mother to Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya, Gachagua said the opposition will make its final decision public in December this year.
According to Gachagua, the coalition is deliberately avoiding an early declaration to protect its preferred candidate from premature political attacks.
He argued that announcing the candidate now would hand President William Ruto a political advantage, giving him ample time to use state machinery and political influence to discredit and frustrate the opposition’s flag bearer.
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Gachagua noted that the opposition has learned from Kenya’s political history, citing the 2002 General Election where former President Mwai Kibaki was unveiled as the opposition candidate only a short time before the polls and still went on to win decisively.
He said this strategy helped shield Kibaki from prolonged political battles and propaganda.
“The opposition is not in any hurry,” Gachagua stated, adding that the focus for now is on strengthening unity within the coalition and building grassroots support across the country.
His remarks have sparked renewed debate about succession politics and heightened anticipation over who the opposition will eventually rally behind to face President Ruto in the next election.
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