DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua (left) with former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and pastor Dorcas at Wamunyoro residence on November 3, 2026/COURTESY

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at some opposition leaders whom he accused of lecturing him on how to win the presidency, insisting that he has the experience and political credentials to help decide who takes on President William Ruto in 2027.

Gachagua questioned the authority of unnamed leaders to advise him on winning the country's top seat, saying he had previously played a central role in helping produce presidents and understood what it takes to mobilise voters.

He challenged those seeking the opposition presidential ticket to first demonstrate their ability to deliver votes at the grassroots instead of attempting to instruct him on how to run a national campaign.

“Some people want to lecture us on how to make the presidency. We have experienced; we know; we have made presidents before,” Gachagua said.

He spoke on Tuesday while addressing a visiting delegation at his Wamunyoro residence, where he also suggested that he could personally seek the opposition's presidential ticket rather than simply work to remove Ruto and hand the opportunity to another leader.

Gachagua dismissed the assumption that his political role was limited to campaigning against the President and helping another opposition figure become head of state.

“Some people are imagining that my work is to chase Ruto and give you the seat as flagbearer. No, si hata mimi nataka? If I helped Ruto to be president, why can I not also help myself? Si mimi nafanya kazi?” he posed.

The DCP leader said Kenyans were aware of the leaders who had driven the campaign for a single-term presidency, claiming he was among those who had championed the message.

“Let nobody think Kenyans are fools. The people know who is the most committed leader in this one-term movement. Even that one term, am I not the one who coined it? It is me,” he said.

Gachagua said he would be willing to support another candidate if he was not selected, but insisted that the eventual flagbearer must respect other leaders and demonstrate a strong work ethic.

“Mimi nimesema kama si mimi nitaunga mkono yule mwenye tutaelewana lakini tutaunga mkono yule anatupatia heshima na yule mwenye ako na bidii,” he said.

He warned that the opposition could not afford to settle on a candidate who lacked the commitment to address the country's challenges, saying the presidency required hard work.

“We cannot give this country to a lazy person because there is too much work to be done,” he said, adding that anyone seeking the position must demonstrate a willingness to serve.

Gachagua invoked the Bible to reinforce his argument, saying leaders should be judged by their commitment to work and the results they deliver.

“The Bible says, you shall reap the fruits of your labour. This presidential job is just like another job, and you must work hard for it,” he said.

He also said his meetings at Wamunyoro were part of a sustained effort to build opposition support against Ruto.

“My work is to ensure Ruto goes home. I am not sleeping. All the meetings here at Wamunyoro are on how to send Ruto home,” he said.

Gachagua challenged his critics to prove their grassroots influence before questioning his political experience.

“You cannot even deliver a polling station, and you want to lecture Riggy G on how to deliver the presidency? How? Let us be serious and have respect and respect Kenyans,” he said.

His remarks expose the emerging contest over influence and the opposition's 2027 presidential ticket, even as its leaders publicly maintain that they will unite behind a single candidate to challenge Ruto.