SPOKANE, Washington — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is willing to become Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s running mate in the 2027 presidential election if the opposition coalition settles on Sifuna as its candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
Gachagua made the remarks during an engagement with Kenyans in Spokane, Washington, where he said opposition leaders must be prepared to put individual ambitions aside if doing so would produce a stronger ticket capable of defeating Ruto.
“I’m willing and ready. By the way, there’s no problem. Even I, Riggy G, I can deputise Sifuna. Kwani iko makosa gani?” Gachagua said.
His remarks mark a notable shift in the public discussion around Sifuna’s emerging presidential ambitions, coming just a day after COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said the Nairobi Senator’s time to seek the presidency had not yet arrived. Atwoli urged Sifuna to first build a strong political team before embarking on a nationwide presidential campaign.
Gachagua, however, defended Sifuna’s prospects and urged him not to be discouraged by criticism over his age.
“I have told my younger brother, Edwin Sifuna, ‘Don’t be discouraged by anybody. Go for it,’” he said.
Gachagua leaves door open for Sifuna
Gachagua named himself, Sifuna and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka among the politicians he considers serious contenders for the opposition presidential ticket.
“We are very serious presidential candidates, and Sifuna is one of them. Riggy G here is a serious candidate. My cousin, Kalonzo Musyoka, is a serious candidate. And we can give to anybody, including Sifuna,” he said.
The former Deputy President said he believes he has the numbers and political capacity to defeat Ruto but insisted that his own ambition would not prevent the opposition from settling on another candidate.
He said he would campaign for his own candidacy but would be prepared to step aside if opposition leaders concluded that another politician offered a better chance of defeating the President.
“If I’m unsuccessful, and they persuade me otherwise, that for this man to go, I need to give way, I’ll give way,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua’s position places him simultaneously in two roles in the emerging opposition contest: a presidential contender and a potential running mate to another candidate.
Gachagua rejects age argument against Sifuna
Gachagua also pushed back against criticism of Sifuna’s age, arguing that the 44-year-old senator was sufficiently mature to seek the presidency.
He cited former US President Barack Obama, who was 47 when elected, and former US President Theodore Roosevelt, who became president at 42.
“The guy is 44 years. President Obama was elected President of the United States at 47. President Roosevelt of the United States was elected President at the age of 42. If at the age of 42 you can govern a country as large as United States, at 44, Kenya ni nini?” he said.
The remarks were a direct counter to Atwoli’s assessment that Sifuna needed more preparation before pursuing the country’s highest office.
Atwoli had said political leaders should be honest with Sifuna about his readiness and advised him to organise his political team before embarking on a nationwide campaign.
Opposition seeks one candidate
Gachagua said the opposition should avoid splitting its presidential vote and instead agree on a single candidate capable of defeating Ruto in the first round.
“We don’t want to go for run-off. We want to finish with this guy round one. Tumalizane na yeye mapema tupeane heshima,” he said.
He maintained that opposition leaders had a better chance of defeating Ruto if they put aside individual ambitions and agreed on one presidential candidate.
Gachagua’s comments come as opposition figures continue to publicly signal their willingness to support one another if a consensus is reached.
Kalonzo has also said he is open to supporting Sifuna if the opposition chooses him as its presidential candidate, while maintaining that Sifuna could likewise support him if he emerges as the flag bearer.
The growing openness to different combinations underscores the uncertainty surrounding the opposition’s final 2027 ticket.
Sifuna emerges as key figure in opposition talks
Sifuna has increasingly featured in discussions over the opposition’s presidential strategy as he builds his national profile through the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Earlier in August, DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala said Gachagua was ready to support Sifuna’s presidential ambitions, signalling that the possibility of cooperation between the two politicians was already being discussed publicly.
Also Read: Ruto’s 2027 election challenge: The Gachagua factor
Gachagua’s latest remarks go further by explicitly stating that he could deputise Sifuna if the political arithmetic favours such an arrangement.
The former Deputy President, however, stopped short of endorsing Sifuna as the final opposition candidate, maintaining that the coalition must collectively determine who is best placed to defeat Ruto.
For now, the emerging political equation leaves several possibilities open, with Gachagua, Sifuna and Kalonzo among the figures positioning themselves for a role on what could eventually become a single opposition ticket.
Gachagua’s willingness to serve as Sifuna’s running mate adds a new dimension to those negotiations and signals that, at least publicly, he is prepared to subordinate his presidential ambition to a broader strategy aimed at unseating Ruto in 2027.
