By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, June 17, 2026 - Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader has launched an ambitious nationwide consultation drive aimed at uniting opposition forces behind a single presidential candidate to challenge in the 2027 General Election.
The former Deputy President on Tuesday revealed that he had begun extensive grassroots consultations with opinion leaders across the country, starting with a delegation from Nyandarua County, as he seeks to build consensus on what he termed a "liberation agenda" for Kenya.
The move marks the beginning of a 45-day political retreat at his Wamunyoro home in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, where he intends to engage elders, professionals, clergy, youth leaders and political stakeholders before opening formal negotiations with opposition leaders on a joint presidential ticket.
"I have started extensive consultations with grassroots opinion leaders on the liberation of our country as promised and advised by the people," Gachagua said after meeting leaders from Nyandarua County.
He added: "Our governance module in the next administration is strongly anchored on listening to the people, whom our Constitution vests supremacy upon."
The consultations come barely a week after Gachagua announced that the opposition's political mobilization campaign against President Ruto had been completed and that attention had now shifted to identifying a consensus candidate capable of defeating the incumbent in 2027.
Speaking in Nairobi, Gachagua said the decision was reached after consultations with a 60-member caucus comprising elders, professionals, clergy and youth leaders following last week's High Court ruling on his impeachment case.
"The work of political mobilization to remove President William Ruto from office is complete. The next priority is identifying a single presidential candidate to face him," he said.
The DCP leader maintained that opposition unity remains the most critical factor in any effort to unseat President Ruto, insisting that fielding multiple candidates would only hand the incumbent an advantage.
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"My supporters have instructed me that having a single presidential candidate against President William Ruto is not negotiable. It is the only way to liberate this country," he said.
Gachagua disclosed that discussions within the opposition are considering two possible outcomes. Under one scenario, he would seek support to become the coalition's presidential candidate. Under another, he would back a different opposition figure if consultations determine that such a candidate stands a better chance of defeating President Ruto.
In a significant gesture aimed at reassuring coalition partners, the former Deputy President pledged to support any candidate who emerges from the negotiations, even if he is not selected as the coalition flag bearer.
"If another colleague is agreed upon, I will rally behind that candidate. My supporters and I will support the agreed candidate fully, and I will personally lead an unprecedented political mobilization campaign to ensure President Ruto serves only one term," he said.
Gachagua also announced that he would temporarily stay away from public rallies as he focuses on consultations, describing the process as crucial to shaping the country's political future.
"You will not see me in public rallies during this period. I will be engaged in extensive consultations because this process is critical for the future of the country," he said.
The consultations are expected to culminate in high-stakes talks among opposition principals as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of what is already emerging as an intense battle for State House in 2027.