Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has dropped the clearest hint yet that Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka may be the United Opposition’s presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.
Mr Gachagua, who had previously insisted he was the United Opposition’s best bet to unseat President William Ruto, appeared to mellow as the group began its five-day tour of the Ukambani region on Monday.
The former deputy president, introduced by Mr Musyoka as the United Opposition’s spokesman, praised the Ukambani political kingpin saying he has what it takes to lead the country.
“The Kamba community is the one which will redeem Kenya from the current administration because your vote is the most trusted and definite in the republic of Kenya. The Kamba vote is a vote you can take to the bank,” Mr Gachagua told residents at Tawa Township in Makueni County.
“President Ruto's allies in the Ukambani region have been telling him that he (Kalonzo) lacks what it takes to become a president. Yet he is your leader. The only way to make Kalonzo respectable is the Wiper party. You should vote Wiper candidates from top to bottom so that political traitors can suffocate once he denies them tickets," Mr Gachagua said.
He explained that the tour of the historically opposition-leaning region was informed by the realisation that President Ruto still enjoys support in Ukambani.
He urged the community, which spans Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties, to register at least four million voters ahead of 2027 to bolster the United Opposition’s chances of denying President Ruto a second term.
“I know that once you enlist four million votes, we shall have a head start of 4 million votes plus one of mine, even before the 2027 General Election begins,” he said, noting that this would more than double the 1.7 million votes Ukambani registered in 2022.
“You need to send home MCAs and MPs who are undermining Mr Musyoka’s leadership by running errands for President Ruto. How can Kalonzo succeed when traitors of the community are roaming free?” he asked.
“A leader is only as strong as the people around him. Unless you provide Kalonzo with enough foot soldiers who are loyal to him and the community, he will not succeed,” he said.
Mr Musyoka and other opposition leaders used the tour to criticise President Ruto’s administration. Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior urged the region to take advantage of the ongoing mass voter registration to expand the electorate. Mr Musyoka also accused the government of misrule raising concerns over bodies reportedly found in a mass grave in Kericho County.
As the caravan held whistlestop rallies at Tawa, Mbumbuni, Kilala, and Wote townships, Jubilee presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i largely avoided commenting on the United Opposition flagbearer but intensified calls for the Ukambani region to rally behind the opposition.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti urged opposition leaders to remain united ahead of 2027, warning that disunity would hinder their chances of unseating President Ruto.
The caravan is scheduled to pitch at Kibwezi West Constituency on Tuesday before moving to Kitui County on Wednesday.
