Editor's Review

Gachagua said the three who are currently allied to President Ruto have a history of losing, arguing that anyone who works with them will lose in 2027.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has weighed in on the political alliances taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning presidential hopefuls to be wary of some of the people who may rally behind their bids.

Speaking during an engagement with Kenyans living in Spokane, Washington State, USA, Gachagua said Suna East MP and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed had a record of supporting presidential candidates who went on to lose.

He cited the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he said Junet had supported several times, but who lost each time.

Gachagua extended the claim to Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and law professor and political commentator Prof. Makau Mutua, saying presidential candidates supported by either of the two would also lose.

He argued that anyone who works with the three would similarly fail in their presidential bid.

“Who would want to work with Junet Mohammed? Anybody he has ever supported for president ends up losing. He supported Baba five times and he lost. If this Atwoli is on your side, you will lose. If this Prof. Makau Mutua supports you, you will lose.

"If I hear that Junet, Atwoli and Mutua have left Kasongo and come to our side, I will immediately switch back to Kasongo because Kasongo will win once these people leave him,” Gachagua said.

Rigathi Gachagua at an engagement with Kenyans living in Spokane, Washington State, USA.

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The three; Junet, Atwoli and Mutua are currently aligned with the broad-based government led by President William Ruto, which has the backing of the ODM party under the leadership of Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.

At the same engagement, Gachagua also spoke about the possibility of different leadership combinations within the united opposition, including a potential partnership with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

Gachagua said he had no problem deputising Sifuna in the 2027 presidential contest, while also noting that Sifuna could deputise him or work with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

“There is no problem; even I, Riggy G, can deputise Sifuna. Is there anything wrong with that? Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can deputise Kalonzo or Kalonzo can deputise Sifuna,” Gachagua said.

The DCP leader said the united opposition remained open to different combinations as it seeks to settle on a candidate capable of defeating Ruto.

“I have looked at the arithmetic, and we will come up with a formula that you will like. I see a solution where we can blend youthful energy with experience for our country,” he stated.

Gachagua also encouraged Sifuna to pursue his presidential ambitions without being discouraged by his political opponents.

“I have told my younger brother Edwin Sifuna not to be discouraged by anybody; go for it. If you persuade us that you are the best person to take William Ruto home, we will give you the flag bearer position,” he said.