Opposition leaders call for selflessness in choosing presidential flag-bearer

Led by Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Democratic Party (DP)’s Justin Muturi, the leaders say the formula to be used must produce a leader who surpasses all leadership parameters against the Head of State.

With the clock ticking toward the 2027 general election, the question of the United Opposition’s flagbearer remains a hot potato.

Attention has now shifted to the personalities of the principals in deciding the man or woman to face President Ruto and ensure a first-round win.

Leading the call for selflessness from Washington in the United States, Gachagua expressed willingness to shelve his presidential ambitions if the flagbearer picked would be a sure bet to send Ruto packing.

"If we do our arithmetic and find Sifuna ndio atapeleka hii mtu nyumbani mapema, so be it. And there’s no problem. There’s no problem. Even I, Riggy G, I can deputise Sifuna, kwani iko makosa gani? Even Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can deputise Kalonzo. Kalonzo can deputise Sifuna,” said Gachagua.

Gachagua intimated that leaders in the faction would need to synergise their strengths if victory was to be achieved.

However, Gachagua's statements seemingly rattled his Democratic Party counterpart, Justin Muturi, who attended a Sunday service at ACK St. Paul’s in Othaya.

“If you persuade us that you’re the best person ya kupeleka Kasongo nyumbani, tutakupatia, kwani iko nini? There's no problem. If my cousin Kalonzo convinces us he can bring a Kibaki moment, why not? And I can tell you, I have looked at that arithmetic; we will come up with one candidate, and you will like it,” said Gachagua.

Muturi, despite calling for magnanimity, opposed the use of a scientific process.

“Don't tell us that you're going to wait for something called science. A so-called scientific formula—which one? Where have you ever heard that science was used to choose a president? Let us just ask ourselves. Just ask yourself: If not me, who can I step down for?” Muturi posed.

The call for sobriety came as People's Party Leader Ndindi Nyoro, who toured Kirinyaga on Sunday, sought the quick naming of a flagbearer, citing unease among Kenyans.

“Those of us in the opposition should stop wasting the opportunity for Kenyans and fighting amongst ourselves. Our enemy is one, named William Ruto,” said Nyoro.

His concerns coincided with the People's Renaissance Movement leader Caleb Amisi, who called on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to ditch the ruling UDA party.

“This ship of Ruto is sinking. Remove your child quickly before this ship sinks completely. If he must be a deputy, even in this PM party, he can be the deputy party leader of PM,” said Amisi.

In Githunguri, Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’i maintained his onslaught against the Ruto regime, taking issue with the government's snail's pace in addressing goonism.

“And let us consider the stability of our country. It should not be that we are fighting as if there will be no Kenya after the election. We cannot see these positions as an end in themselves at the expense of our people,” Matiang’I said.