Former Deputy President and current Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has predicted a split within the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election in Kenya. Speaking to Kenyans in Texas, United States, on September 26, 2026, Gachagua said history could repeat itself, with a united opposition developing divisions as the election approaches. He prophesied that one of the presidential hopefuls will break away and run independently.
Gachagua made the remarks as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was endorsed as the presidential candidate of the Linda Mwananchi movement ahead of the 2027 election. In a statement issued on Saturday, Linda Mwananchi said its leadership had agreed to move forward as a united political force, citing what it described as Kenyans’ demand for better governance. Sifuna will lead the unveiling of the party on whose ticket he will run for the presidency in early October.
The endorsement follows weeks of uncertainty over the political vehicle Sifuna would use in his presidential bid, with his allies considering different party options. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said on September 24 that Sifuna would use the United Democratic Party, appearing to settle speculation over the party arrangement ahead of the planned launch. The UDP option emerged after a proposed attempt to rebrand the party as the Ukombozi People’s Party failed.
Gachagua, however, said he would remain in the opposition and work to dislodge President William Ruto from office. “The other one is not a prophecy; it's a fact. Riggy G will be part of the winning team because Riggy G cannot be that fellow. He'll stick with the arrangement that has been agreed on by the people of Kenya,” he said. His remarks came after speculation over possible electoral interference in the 2027 General Election.
On election integrity, Gachagua sought to ease concerns over possible electoral interference in the 2027 General Election, saying Kenya's polls cannot be rigged if voters remain at polling stations to safeguard their ballots. The former DP argued that changes to Kenya’s electoral system, particularly the counting of votes at polling stations, have made it harder to manipulate election results after voting.
Gachagua also stated that he would prophesy that one single presidential candidate will be announced and one person will go away. “That one person will go away on his own, and a single presidential candidate will be elected by over 75% of the Kenyan vote,” he added. The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has concluded hearings in a case challenging the Registrar’s decision on the use of the Linda name.
The development gives Sifuna’s camp a clearer party vehicle ahead of the 2027 election, although questions over the Linda Mwananchi identity remain subject to a legal dispute.
Key points
- Gachagua predicts a split within the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
- Edwin Sifuna was endorsed as the presidential candidate of the Linda Mwananchi movement.
- Gachagua sought to ease concerns over possible electoral interference in the 2027 General Election.
