WASHINGTON, DC—Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has opened the door to an unlikely opposition alliance in the 2027 presidential race, saying he would be willing to deputise Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna if the senator proves to be the opposition leader best placed to defeat President William Ruto.
Gachagua said opposition leaders should be guided by electoral numbers rather than personal ambitions when deciding who should lead the presidential ticket, arguing that any aspirant should be prepared to take the number two position if that is what it takes to defeat Ruto.
Speaking to Kenyans in Spokane, Washington, Gachagua said the opposition should first determine which of its potential candidates enjoys the strongest support before settling on the presidential ticket.
“If we do our arithmetic and find that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will send President William Ruto home early, so be it,” Gachagua said.
He then made it clear that he would have no problem serving as Sifuna’s running mate if the political calculations favoured the Nairobi senator.
“And there is no problem, by the way, even I, Riggy G, can deputise Sifuna. There is nothing wrong with that,” he said.
Gachagua extended the possibility to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying the opposition should remain open to different combinations depending on who emerges as the strongest candidate.
“Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can also deputise Kalonzo Musyoka. Kalonzo can also deputise Sifuna,” he said.
The former deputy president said the eventual opposition ticket could bring together younger politicians and more experienced leaders.
“We will come up with a line-up and you will love it. We will blend youthful energy with experience,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks elevate Sifuna’s position in the increasingly crowded opposition race, placing the 44-year-old senator alongside himself and Kalonzo as potential contenders for the presidency.
He later insisted that he was serious about Sifuna’s presidential prospects and dismissed suggestions that the senator was not ready to seek the country’s highest office.
“Let me explain, we are very serious presidential aspirants and Sifuna is one of them,” Gachagua said.
“Riggy G here is a serious candidate, my cousin Kalonzo Musyoka is a serious candidate, and we can give to anybody, including Sifuna.”
Gachagua’s comments came shortly after Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli questioned whether Sifuna had built enough national political networks to mount a successful presidential campaign in 2027.
Atwoli had advised the Nairobi senator to wait and strengthen his national presence before seeking the presidency.
Gachagua rejected that argument, pointing to the ages at which some leaders rose to the presidency.
Sifuna, he noted, is 44, while former US President Barack Obama was 47 when he was elected. He also cited former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was 42 when he first became president.
“I want to tell that Mzee, Sifuna is above 18 years, he is 44. Barack Obama was elected US President at 47. Roosevelt was elected President of the US at the age of 42,” Gachagua said.
“If at the age of 42 you can govern a country as large as the US, at 44 what is Kenya?”
Gachagua urged Sifuna not to be discouraged by those questioning his readiness and instead test his popularity among voters.
“I have told my younger brother, do not be discouraged by anybody, go for it,” he said.
He maintained that the opposition should ultimately rally behind whoever can demonstrate the strongest ability to defeat Ruto, regardless of the individual’s current position within the opposition hierarchy.
“If you persuade us that you are the best person to take Ruto home, we will rally behind you. There is no problem,” Gachagua said.
He gave a similar undertaking to Kalonzo, saying he would support the Wiper leader if he could convince the opposition that he commanded the strongest national support.
“If Kalonzo convinces us, why not? I, Riggy G, can do it, why not?” he said.
The remarks add a fresh dimension to the opposition’s search for a unified presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, with Gachagua signalling that he would be prepared to sacrifice his own presidential ambitions if another candidate demonstrates stronger electoral numbers.
The emerging contest could therefore hinge less on individual claims to the opposition leadership and more on which politician can build the broadest coalition and demonstrate the strongest capacity to challenge Ruto at the ballot.
