Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declared that his biggest political mission is to ensure President William Ruto does not secure a second term, saying he is prepared to abandon his own presidential ambitions if that is the price of keeping the opposition united ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview on KTN on Wednesday night, Gachagua said he remains confident that he has what it takes to lead the opposition ticket.
Even so, he stressed that he would have no difficulty stepping aside if fellow opposition leaders agree that another candidate stands a better chance of defeating Ruto.
“I am hopeful that I would be able to persuade my colleagues [in the opposition] to allow me to fly the flag,” Gachagua said during the broadcast.
“If I am not successful in that quest, and my colleagues persuade me otherwise that for us to remove William Ruto I need to give way to somebody else, I would do so willingly, unconditionally and my supporters and I will support that person to a man,” he added.
Gachagua said the opposition's focus should remain on presenting a united front, maintaining that personal ambitions should not stand in the way of achieving a change in leadership after the next General Election.
He also dismissed claims that he has lost political influence since leaving office, insisting that he continues to shape the country's political direction despite holding no government position.
“I don’t even have to be anything, today I am nobody – I don’t have a salary, I don’t have security,” he said.
“I occupy no position in this country but I influence things, I make things happen in this country. I am the point of reference in all matters, everybody answers me daily. I don’t have to be anybody to influence change of government for the better.”
Gachagua said he is driven by the desire to see better leadership and governance, adding that he is ready to make any personal sacrifice if it helps achieve that objective.
“I am a man who is willing to influence anything to bring good change and good governance in this country,” Gachagua said.
“I am willing to sacrifice anything including my presidential ambition to make sure William Ruto is one term,” he asserted.