I can back Sifuna, Gachagua declares, says he’s ready to step down for unity

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has backed Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna's presidential ambition, while declaring he is prepared to shelve his own State House bid for opposition unity.

In a wide-ranging interview with KTN on Wednesday, Gachagua said every Kenyan who meets the constitutional threshold has a right to seek the presidency.

He urged young leaders to pursue their ambitions without fear, saying leadership renewal is essential if Kenya is to move beyond old political rivalries.

His take on the Sifuna candidacy comes amid growing debate over who should carry the opposition flag against President William Ruto in next year’s general election.

Sifuna recently expressed interest in the presidency, attracting mixed reactions within the political circles.

Gachagua dismissed criticism of the Nairobi senator's ambitions.

"No. I am telling him not to listen to that nonsense. He is above 18, and the Constitution says anybody above 18 can be president. Edwin Sifuna, please pursue your dream. All dreams are valid," he said.

He went further when asked whether he would support a Sifuna presidential bid.

"Why not?" Gachagua responded, "I am one leader who is not threatened by youthful people."

He said many established politicians shy away from mentoring younger leaders for fear of creating future competitors.

Gachagua instead portrayed himself as a leader keen on nurturing the next generation.

"The kind of Methu, Njeri Maina and Karungo that I have mentored, not many leaders would agree because they would feel threatened."

"I will never stifle the growth of young leaders."

He also named DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino among youthful leaders he believes deserve encouragement.

"I encourage Sifuna, Methu, Njeri, Cleophas Malala and Babu Owino. The time is now."

"I look forward to sitting with Sifuna and speaking with him."

Gachagua argued that the youthful population remains the nation’s greatest political asset.

"I believe the greatest resource for our country is our youthful population. They are not tainted. They are not tribal. We are not short of options."

He however said he remains a formidable presidential contender among his equals in the united opposition.

Gachagua rejected suggestions that he is merely positioning himself as a political kingmaker within the opposition.

"Those are assertions by our competitors. They want me to be a kingmaker so that I make them king."

"I am king."

He said his experience as deputy president, political networks and ability to mobilise supporters place him among the strongest candidates to challenge Ruto.

"I have been deputy president, just a few metres to be president."

"I have the numbers that can make me president."

"I have the capacity to mobilise numbers to be president and I can mobilise resources that are required to mount a very serious presidential campaign."

"I want to be president and I have every intention to convince my colleagues that I am the most suited to carry the flag."

Still, Gachagua maintained that removing Ruto from office is more important than his personal ambitions.

He said public opinion favours a united opposition presenting a single presidential candidate.

"It is the desire of the people of Kenya that William Ruto is one term. It is easier if we have one single presidential candidate."

"And Kenyans want us to unite and choose one candidate."

Gachagua said opposition leaders should first consolidate support in their respective political strongholds before negotiating over the coalition's flag bearer.

"I have persuaded my colleagues that you can only remove Ruto from office through political mobilisation and marshalling enough numbers. Those numbers cannot be mobilised on a table, or on a theoretical framework. Hard work has to be done."

He described himself as one of the politicians doing that groundwork. "I work very hard and Kenyans know." "I am a very serious presidential candidate."

However, Gachagua made what is perhaps his clearest commitment yet that he would surrender his own presidential bid if convinced another opposition leader offers the best chance of defeating Ruto.

"If I am not successful in that quest, and my colleagues persuade me otherwise that for us to remove Ruto, I have to give way, I will do so willingly and unconditionally."

"My supporters and I will support that person to a man."

He said he has already started preparing his supporters for that possibility to avoid divisions once a consensus candidate is eventually picked.

"I have prepared my supporters, who are in millions, that there is a possibility it is not me and they back the chosen candidate. This is a national duty, a sacrifice for the country, and is beyond one person."

Gachagua said he also expects fellow opposition aspirants to similarly prepare their supporters for whichever decision the coalition reaches. He said unity will require sacrifice from every contender.

"I am willing to sacrifice anything, including my presidential ambition, to make sure William Ruto is one term. I am willing to support anybody else. But that doesn't mean that I have no right also to want to carry the flag."