Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced plans to hold high-stakes consultations with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta before the United Opposition coalition settles on a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.
Speaking on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during a consultation meeting at his Wamunyoro residence, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader revealed that the meeting with Uhuru will take place after he completes a self-imposed 45-day tour of the Mount Kenya region to gather views on the area’s political future.
Comparing Notes for Mount Kenya’s Direction
Gachagua stated that he intends to present the feedback from his regional tours to Uhuru, seeking his counsel before making any major declarations regarding the opposition’s path forward.
“I am working together with my elder brother, Uhuru Kenyatta. After finishing these consultations, before saying anything else, I will consult Uhuru Kenyatta so that we can compare notes.” — Former DP Rigathi Gachagua
The move signals a major political rapprochement between the two leaders, who famously fell out during the 2022 General Election when Gachagua successfully campaigned alongside William Ruto against Uhuru’s preferred successor, Raila Odinga.
Internal Rifts Over the 2027 Ticket
While the opposition is united in its goal to field a single joint candidate to take on President Ruto, the coalition is already fractured by internal wranglings and strategic disagreements:
A faction within the opposition is demanding that the flagbearer be named immediately to establish a clear campaign path. Conversely, Gachagua and his allies argue that the candidate should be named as late as May 2027. They warn that exposing their candidate too early will give the state machinery ample time to divide and destabilize the coalition. Individual principals are already making their preferences known. Notably, former Attorney General Justin Muturi has bypassed other contenders to endorse Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for the top ticket.
With Mount Kenya increasingly viewed as a crucial battleground, the upcoming sit-down between Gachagua and Uhuru could prove decisive in shaping the opposition’s ultimate strategy.













































