Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is ready to serve as Edwin Sifuna’s running mate if the opposition decides that the Nairobi Senator is best placed to defeat President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua made the remarks on Sunday while addressing Kenyans living in Spokane, Washington, in the United States.
He said opposition leaders should be guided by political numbers rather than personal ambitions when deciding who should lead their ticket.
“If we do our arithmetic and find that Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna will send President William Ruto home early, so be it,” Gachagua said.
“And there is no problem, by the way, even I, Riggy G, can deputise Sifuna. There is nothing wrong with that.”
The former Deputy President said the eventual opposition ticket could take different forms depending on who emerges as the strongest candidate.
He said Sifuna could also deputise him, while Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka could deputise either of them.
Gachagua described himself, Sifuna and Kalonzo as serious contenders in the race, saying the opposition should remain open to different combinations.
“We will come up with a line-up and you will love it. We will blend youthful energy with experience,” he said.
His remarks place Sifuna more firmly in discussions over the opposition’s possible presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 polls.
The issue of who will lead the opposition has remained unsettled, with Gachagua, Sifuna and Kalonzo among the figures being discussed as possible presidential candidates or running mates. The three have also been linked to efforts to build a united opposition front against Ruto.
Gachagua’s comments also come amid growing debate over whether the opposition should settle on a single presidential candidate early enough to consolidate its support ahead of the election.
For now, however, the former Deputy President said the numbers should determine who gets the top seat and who takes the running mate position.
“Let me explain, we are very serious presidential aspirants and Sifuna is one of them,” Gachagua said.
