Kenya: Gachagua calls for delay in opposition’s common candidate selection for 2027

Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), urged the Kenyan opposition on Friday, September 11, in Portland, United States, not to select its common candidate too early for the 2027 presidential election. The former vice president was responding to Babu Owino, who is advocating for a swift decision.

Speaking to Kenyans in Oregon, Gachagua explained that an early choice would expose the future candidate to prolonged political attacks and provide more time for President William Ruto’s camp to exploit divisions within the opposition. He noted that he had defended this position during a phone conversation with Babu Owino.

The Embakasi East MP had argued on September 8 for a quick designation of the opposition’s standard bearer. According to him, waiting until the end of the year could strengthen competing ambitions and complicate the establishment of a united campaign against the incumbent president.

In contrast, Gachagua contends that the various parties must first solidify their bases before agreeing on a single candidate. He cited the 2002 election, when Mwai Kibaki was chosen as the common opposition candidate just weeks before the election, which he won.

The debate over the timing of the candidate selection comes as political preparations for 2027 intensify. Musalia Mudavadi recently warned foreign diplomats ahead of the elections, amid a realignment of Kenyan political forces.

On September 12, Gachagua also inaugurated a DCP chapter in Oregon, continuing his outreach to the Kenyan diaspora.