You will not see me for 45 days, Gachagua says as he pauses rallies for strategy talks

 Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressing the press on June 9/SCREENGRAB

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced that he will withdraw from public political rallies for the next 45 days and instead shift focus to his Wamunyoro residence.

According to Gachagua, attention will now be on intensive consultations aimed at uniting opposition leaders behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 elections.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, a day after the High Court upheld his impeachment, Gachagua said his absence from the public stage is deliberate and strategic.

“You will not see me anywhere in political rallies for the next 45 days,” he said, adding that the period will be dedicated to structured engagements with political stakeholders across the country.

He disclosed that a 60-member caucus comprising elders, professionals, clergy and youth has been advising him on political, social and economic issues daily.

According to him, the group recently held a virtual meeting following a court judgment they had reviewed, and resolved that opposition mobilisation should now shift from political rallies to structured negotiations.

“There is no need for further political mobilisation,” he said, quoting the position of his advisers. Instead, he said the focus has now shifted to identifying a single opposition presidential candidate.

“They have tasked me to engage what, in their view, is of utmost priority, the identification of a single presidential candidate to face President William Ruto,” Gachagua said.

He added that the consultations will involve meetings with community leaders, political stakeholders and opinion shapers across various regions, with a particular focus on building consensus.

“They have instructed me that having a single presidential candidate against President William Ruto is not negotiable,” he said, describing unity as the only viable path for the opposition.

Gachagua also outlined what he described as two possible pathways.

In “Plan A,” he would seek to become the consensus candidate if chosen. In “Plan B,” he said he would support whoever is agreed upon by the broader opposition coalition.

“We have two plans. Plan A is to mobilise support if the formula favours me as the presidential flag bearer. Plan B is to work with colleagues to identify a single candidate,” he said.

He insisted he remains committed to opposition unity regardless of the outcome.

“If I am not the flag bearer, I will support another candidate. I will do whatever it takes to ensure we have one candidate to face President William Ruto,” he said.

Gachagua also expressed confidence in his political strength and support base, arguing that he retains significant influence in national politics.

“I have the capacity, the infrastructure and the networks. I remain hopeful I will be that candidate,” he said.

However, he maintained that personal ambition would be secondary to collective decision-making, insisting that unity within the opposition remains the central goal of his consultations over the 45 days.