Rigathi Gachagua has spent the better part of the weekend thumping his chest, insisting he will be on the 2027 ballot as the united opposition’s presidential flagbearer. But the question that refuses to go away is simple: Gachagua is whose candidate?
In every serious political formation, decisions are made collectively. Leaders sit down, agree on strategy, and most importantly, pool resources for campaigns. Yet whenever the opposition meets to discuss contributions, Gachagua has a ready excuse: his money is “tied up in court.” He always pleads poverty. But days later, the same Gachagua is hosting political meetings costing millions of shillings to mobilize crowds. Where does that money come from? And why does it only appear when he is the sole beneficiary?
This contradiction exposes what many Kenyans already suspect: Gachagua does not believe in a united opposition. He wants to run a solo project, draped in the language of unity, while sidelining other opposition leaders. By dismissing the very structures meant to deliver a credible challenge to President Ruto, Gachagua is rocking the boat from within.
Governor George Natembeya was blunt when he said no one has been crowned flagbearer. The opposition will judge candidates not just on words, but on competency and intergrity. On both counts, Gachagua falls short. His impeachment raised serious questions about integrity, and his self-serving politics erode trust.
Kenyans may laugh at his theatrics and outbursts, but deep down they know he lacks the qualities of a statesman. He may attract attention, but leadership requires more than noise.
And so the question remains: if Gachagua is not Kenya’s candidate, not the united opposition’s candidate — then whose candidate is he? The answer is obvious: President William Ruto is the only man who benefits when Gachagua runs for president.
