Ndindi Nyoro: If you're insulting Gachagua, People's Party has no room for you

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua toured Murang’a county on Thursday, inspecting a guard of honour presented by the local enforcement officers. The symbolic display mirrored ceremonial inspections typically carried out by President William Ruto during public holidays. A video shared by Gachagua on his X account showed him walking alongside the formation as the officers stood at attention, before conducting the inspection.

This spectacle occurred as Gachagua stepped up his political activities in Murang’a, holding rallies and engaging with residents in an effort to secure support for his 2027 presidential aspirations. The former deputy president has been intensifying his grassroots mobilisation across the country, visiting various regions of the Mt Kenya and positioning the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) as a key player in the opposition's bid to challenge President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua's tour came just a day after Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro embarked on his own political tour of Murang’a, having defected from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to join the opposition. Nyoro, who plans to seek the presidency, announced his intentions but pledged to support the opposition's joint candidate. The political landscape in Mt Kenya has become increasingly volatile with several leaders vying for positions ahead of the 2027 contest.

Gachagua has openly declared his candidacy for the United Opposition's presidential ticket, arguing that he is the best positioned to lead the opposition against Ruto. He has also indicated that he would be willing to serve as the opposition's campaign director if he is not chosen as the presidential flag bearer. The opposition's struggle for a single presidential candidate has become a significant political question ahead of the polls.

Gachagua advocates for leaders to first mobilise their respective political bases before negotiating over the presidential ticket, while others push for an earlier decision to enable ample time for joint mobilisation. The issue was reignited after Nyoro announced his presidential ambitions while simultaneously calling for opposition unity, urging leaders to agree on a single flag bearer by August next year, warning that multiple candidates could divide the anti-government vote.