Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged opposition leaders to begin private negotiations over their preferred presidential candidate and announce their flagbearer five months before the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in an interview with KTN Television, Gachagua said the strategy would help protect the eventual candidate from what he described as threats, intimidation and harassment by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Gachagua claimed that President William Ruto has been targeting political opponents whom he considers a threat to his political ambitions, citing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and himself as among those allegedly facing attacks.
He warned that announcing the opposition candidate too early could expose them to pressure from state institutions and potentially disrupt their campaigns.
The DCP leader said his recent political engagements at his Wamunyoro residence, including meetings with Sifuna and other political leaders, were aimed at strengthening cooperation and building public confidence in the opposition.
He added that his engagement with Kalonzo was intended to foster unity and consolidate support among opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections, with the broader objective of bringing political change to the country.
Despite advocating for a consensus candidate, Gachagua once again presented himself as a suitable contender to carry the opposition's presidential flag.
He, however, maintained that he was ready to support any candidate selected through a mutually agreed process involving opposition leaders.
In a separate part of the interview, Gachagua criticised the government's decision to invite German football giants Bayern Munich and Dutch club Ajax to play the inaugural match at the Raila Odinga International Stadium in Nairobi.
The stadium is expected to be officially opened on January 5, 2027, with a friendly match between the two European clubs as part of preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Gachagua questioned why local football giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards had not been allowed to feature in the historic occasion, arguing that Kenyan clubs deserved priority because the stadium was built using taxpayers' money.
The stadium has a planned seating capacity of 60,000 spectators and is among the facilities expected to support preparations for AFCON 2027.
The tournament will provide Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with an opportunity to showcase their sporting infrastructure and strengthen East Africa's capacity to host major international competitions.
Gachagua's remarks have raised questions about the involvement of local football clubs in major national sporting events and how Kenyans will benefit from investments in public sports facilities, as the country prepares for the continental tournament and the next General Election.
