Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced he is stepping out of the public eye for the next 45 days, from 15^th June, heading back to his Wamunyoro home to hold intensive consultations with supporters, opinion leaders, and stakeholders.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, on Tuesday 9^th June, 2026, Gachagua said that his central mission is to identify a single presidential candidate to face President William Ruto in the upcoming 2027 elections.

“You will not see me anywhere in public rallies. I will be in Wamunyoro doing very serious, extensive consultations because this is critical for the country,” Gachagua said.

The move follows a virtual meeting held by his 16-member council of elders, professionals, clergy, and youth advisors in the wake of the recent High Court ruling.

The Democracy for Citizens Party Leader, said that the council has determined that the work of political mobilisation to remove Ruto from office is complete and that the most urgent priority now is settling on a single opposition candidate.

“Having a single presidential candidate against President William Ruto is not negotiable and is the only way to liberate this country,” Gachagua stated.

He added that his supporters, whom he estimates at nearly 10 million, have instructed him to lead that process from the front.

Gachagua revealed that he and his allies have two plans on the table.

Plan A involves mobilising support for himself as the presidential flagbearer, should the agreed formula favour his candidacy.

Plan B involves working with other principals in the United Alternative Government to jointly identify a different single candidate, should the formula point elsewhere.

“I remain hopeful that I will be that candidate. I have the capacity and the muscle, the infrastructure and the presidential experience, the necessary networks and great mobilisation capacity, numbers behind me, and a very good strategy for the presidential campaign,” he said.

Before retreating to Wamunyoro from Monday 15^th June, 2026, Gachagua said he would first travel to Western Kenya over the weekend to show support for his deputy party leader Cleophas Malala and DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa.

The 45-day consultations will formally begin on his return.