Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed his willingness to support former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in the 2027 presidential race, but only if specific conditions are met.

In a media interview on a local media station on May 12, 2025, Gachagua welcomed the increasing political visibility of the Abagusii community, noting that for the first time, a Kisii leader like Matiang’i is being considered seriously for the presidency.

However, he warned that Matiang’i must first consolidate support at home before expecting national backing.

“Matiang’i appears qualified, active, and tough. He has what it takes to be president. But does he have the support from home? If Kisii doesn’t rally behind him, where will his candidacy go?” Gachagua posed.

“For him to be a serious contender, he must bring the whole Kisii vote to the table.”

The former DP revealed that he had dispatched a team of about 20,000 supporters in Kisii to gauge local sentiment regarding Matiang’i’s candidacy, reiterating that he would only support Matiang’i if convinced of solid local backing.

“I’ve sent them to listen to the ground and tell me what’s going on. I also want to know if what I’m seeing on television and what is being discussed align,” he said.

United coalition

Gachagua emphasised the need for a united opposition front with a clear strategy to defeat President William Ruto in the next general election, arguing that his support for Matiang’i would depend on an agreed “formula” among opposition leaders, not individual ambitions.

“I am ready to support Matiang’i if the formula settles on him. But it cannot be forced that it must be him. That would mean we’ve lost direction,” Gachagua explained.

“The most important thing is the formula to remove Ruto. If that formula favours Matiang’i, he will be our candidate and he will win. If it favours me or Kalonzo Musyoka, we will also support and win. But we must work as one team,” he added.

Gachagua stressed that Kenya’s current economic and political challenges cannot be solved by a single individual, expressing his willingness to play any role in such a coalition, even if it’s not the presidency.

“I don’t have to be president. I can be anything else. But I want to be part of that team. Matiang’i also wants to be part of that team. Kalonzo too. We must put the country above our personal interests,” he said.

“But, you can’t tell me that Rigathi Gachagua, who has united all his people, should support someone who doesn’t have all his people behind him. I would be a fool,” he asserted.

Caution

Gachagua further advised Matiang’i to return to Washington to formally resign from his World Bank duties before launching any political campaign, saying it would be improper for him to leave office without a proper handover.

“He must return, pick his files, and officially hand over. That way, he leaves with dignity—dignity for himself, his community, and for Kenya,” he stated.

He also warned the Kisii community against creating divisions after encouraging Matiang’i to enter politics.

“I’ve said it would be a mistake if you Kisii people have asked someone to leave his job, only for you to come here and start causing divisions in the community or allowing young people to insult him. That would be wrong. He has agreed to what you asked of him,” he stated.