Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has named three prominent politicians whom he says could influence his decision to reconsider his political position and potentially return to working with President William Ruto.
Speaking on Sunday in U.S., Gachagua reportedly mentioned President Ruto’s adviser Makau Mutua, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli as three politicians whose presence in the opposition could change his calculations.
According to Gachagua, the opposition should be careful about who it welcomes into its ranks, arguing that some individuals associated with the government could have a different agenda if they join the opposition.
Gachagua also appeared to refer to the 2022 General Election, when Atwoli, Junet Mohamed and Makau Mutua were associated with the opposition side. He argued that despite their involvement, the opposition still failed to defeat President William Ruto and his allies.
The former deputy president claimed that if the three politicians were to once again join the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election, defeating President Ruto would become difficult.
He warned that the opposition could end up losing again, which, according to him, would leave Kenyans facing another five years under the same administration.
Gachagua further urged opposition leaders to be cautious when receiving politicians and other influential figures from the government side.
He warned that some individuals could join the opposition while secretly remaining loyal to President Ruto, potentially acting as his “watchdogs” or spies within the opposition camp.
His remarks are likely to attract attention as political parties and leaders continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with alliances and political realignments expected to shape the country’s political landscape.