Methu urges united opposition to unveil presidential flagbearer
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, February 28, 2026Nyandarua Senator John Methu has called upon leaders of the United Opposition to expedite the unveiling of one presidential flagbearer by 2027 before the general election, as pressure mounts around former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as a potential presidential candidate to face off against President William Ruto.
In a speech at a rally in the streets in the Heshima area of Bahati Constituency, Nakuru County, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, Methu indicated that the Mount Kenya region is advocating that Gachagua should be a presidential candidate.
He urged Gachagua to consult his fellow co-principals in the United Alternative Government and strike a compromise on one candidate who will run against Ruto in what is increasingly becoming a highly charged race.
“Yesterday in Nakuru, we agreed that Rigathi Gachagua, who was the deputy president, should run for the presidency of the Republic of Kenya. We want Rigathi Gachagua to run for the presidency. So Rigathi Gachagua from here in Nakuru should agree with the others and give us one candidate to face off with William Ruto,” Methu said.
These comments by Methu are in the context of a renewed charm offensive by the United Opposition leaders, who have recently been touring the Nakuru and Laikipia counties in an attempt to cement support in the vote-rich Mount Kenya and Rift Valley.
The tours united several opposition efforts to build robust grassroots and gauge the soil to open up a strong political front before 2027.
In the Nakuru tour, the opposition leaders conducted rallies and consultative meetings with the leaders and communities of the area, with some key messages being unity and the need to have the region represented politically again, which they termed as the political voice of the region.
Methu pushes for Gachagua’s presidency
Methu mentioned Gachagua, a key player who would be able to attract the voters of Mount Kenya, besides attracting the interest of others not satisfied with the current administration. The tours are widely considered as being part of a larger plan to make Mount Kenya a core of the new opposition coalition as dissatisfaction and transfers in political allegiance continue to rise.
Methu emphasised that unity will be decisive in the success of the opposition, as more than one candidate will scatter votes, and this will undermine his/her chances against the incumbent. He was confident that when a single flagbearer is released, the opposition will make a strong national campaign.
The Gachagua push is an indication that there are efforts to redefine the political arena early, and Mount Kenya leaders feel the need to take centre stage again and be a determining factor in the choice of the next president of Kenya.
Despite the push, all opposition leaders have expressed interest in unseating Ruto in 2027. They have, however, vowed to unveil one candidate who will wrestle it out with Ruto in the 2027 polls.