Kenya: Gachagua Claims 12mn Votes As He Stakes Claim to Opposition Flagbearer Role

What the report says

Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he has the backing of nearly 12 million voters as he builds a case to become the opposition’s preferred presidential candidate in the 2027 election. The remarks, reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, were made in Nairobi while he hosted community mobilisers from Nyeri, where he said his support base in Mt Kenya and Nairobi, along with backing he expects from Maasai and Kipsigis communities, gives him leverage in talks with other opposition figures.

Gachagua, who leads the DCP, framed the figures as a foundation for negotiating over a possible joint ticket to challenge President William Ruto. He said he had already finished mobilising in Mt Kenya and Nairobi and was completing outreach to other communities before discussions with fellow opposition leaders on who should front the coalition.

The story comes amid wider opposition efforts to avoid splitting votes in 2027. In April, Gachagua publicly argued for one opposition candidate and mentioned Martha Karua, Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka and himself as possible options. Capital FM also noted that the Wantam movement later announced an online voting exercise to help choose a single challenger. The development matters because it highlights early competition inside the opposition over leadership and strategy ahead of Kenya’s next presidential contest.