Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the PLP NDC on September 26, 2025/SCREENGRABFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has now said his only disappointment, should he not be chosen as the united opposition’s presidential flagbearer in 2027, would be missing the chance to face President William Ruto head-on on the Presidential debate stage.
Speaking during the People’s Liberation Party (PLP) National Delegates Conference on Friday, Gachagua told delegates that he has no qualms about the ongoing negotiations to produce a single opposition candidate.
He said what matters most is that President Ruto is challenged by a joint front, but admitted he personally relishes the idea of confronting his former ally at the live presidential debate.
“I would only have one disappointment if I am not chosen. Just one..I will miss the opportunity to face William Ruto in the presidential debate, ” he said, drawing laughter from the attendees.
The ex-DP further sent a clear message to opposition figures considering a presidential run.
He urged all aspirants to go to the grassroots, sell their ideas and visions, and convince Kenyans that they can be president.
“Go and sell your candidature, your vision, and convince Kenyans that you can be President,” he said.
“Then, when we sit, as it has been very well explained, we want to assure the people of Kenya that we shall sacrifice, for this country, to make sure that under whatever circumstances, we have one presidential candidate to face him."
Gachagua also took a direct swipe at President Ruto’s prospects, saying, “William Ruto knows his goose is cooked. He knows the joint opposition will send him home by 10 am.”
He pledged that if PLP leader Martha Karua or any other aspirant can convincingly demonstrate they are the best candidate to beat Ruto, he will personally campaign for them — just as he did for Ruto in the 2022 election.
“If you are able to convince us, I’m sure you can, that you are the right person, I’ll campaign for you the way I campaigned for William Ruto,” he said.
The remarks were seen as both a show of loyalty to the broader opposition coalition and a signal of Gachagua’s own ambitions.
While insisting unity is paramount, he made clear that his preference would be to lead that unity himself and square off with Ruto under the full glare of a presidential debate.
For now, Gachagua says, the priority is building an inclusive opposition movement, recruiting members, and coordinating at the grassroots so that by 2027 the coalition has the numbers and the single candidate to mount the challenge.
