Ngunjiri Wambugu: If the alternative to Ruto is Gachagua, I’d rather vote for Ruto
By Mabonga Makhanu, June 8, 2026Former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament (MP) Ngunjiri Wambugu has stated that if the alternative to President William Ruto is Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, then he would rather vote for the latter.
While speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Monday, June 8, 2026, the outspoken former legislator, who is a known critic of the former deputy president, stated that Ruto is better than Gachagua.
“If you tell me you are replacing Gachagua with Ruto, I will vote for Ruto. Because Gachagua, at this moment in time, is much worse than Ruto. Kama ‘Wantam’ ni Gachagua; wacha Ruto afanye ‘Tutam’, Wambugu said.
Despite him being a WamTam member, the former MP stated that it is better to rally behind William Ruto’s two-term bid rather than support the second deputy president, whom he termed as being worse than the head of state.
He went further to take a swipe at the United Opposition’s quest for 2027, saying that none of the principals are viable to take over from Ruto and that none of them will be accepted by Kenyans as a quality alternative to the president.
In line with this, Ngunjiri believes that this is the main thing making the opposition reluctant to name its flag bearer who will face William Ruto next year since, according to him, nobody among them will be accepted by Kenyans.
He claimed that they keep dilly-dallying because, as things stand now, they all want to vie for the top seat. He questioned how long this would persist, noting that a time will come when they must present a single person to face William Ruto.
Wambugu termed the move by the United Opposition of not announcing its flag bearer early enough as a hoax that might not see the light of day and may end up bearing no fruit in the end.
Ngunjiri’s united opposition criticism
Ngunjiri Wambugu has, in the recent past, been raising issues regarding his Jubilee Party and the larger United Opposition. He has also challenged the appointment of Fred Matiang’i as the deputy party leader and his being presented as the party’s flag bearer in 2027, with the case now lying before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal awaiting hearing.
On the other side, Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to vie for the presidential election next year, saying that nothing will derail him. His foot soldiers, on the other hand, have been vouching for him despite his impeachment, saying that he is the only person who can face Ruto in the 2027 polls.
Methu vouches for Gachagua
According to Methu, Gachagua’s political influence and support base within the opposition make him best placed to lead the coalition’s presidential bid rather than serve as a running mate to another principal.