Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has dismissed claims that the United Opposition has already settled on a presidential flagbearer for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Radio Citizen on Monday, September 15, Natembeya said it was misleading for any leader to crown themselves the coalition’s candidate, insisting that no decision had been reached. His remarks came shortly after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua declared himself the opposition’s choice for the top seat.
“These are just cold facts,” Natembeya said. “No one should beat their chest and claim to be the flag bearer. That is a decision the entire opposition will have to agree on.”
He explained that the process of selecting a candidate would be guided by two key factors: the size of the following each aspirant brings on board and their financial muscle to sustain a presidential campaign.
“For us to choose a flag bearer, we will start by checking the number of people you bring to the team and the resources you can marshal,” he said, adding that until then, the opposition remains united around its shared goal of countering President William Ruto’s policies.
Natembeya argued that the opposition’s mission is to hold the government accountable and ultimately replace Ruto in 2027, citing what he described as unfulfilled promises and policies that have deepened poverty.
“Our collective aim is to remove the president from office not because of hatred, but because his programmes are hurting Kenyans instead of helping them,” the governor stated.
On Sunday, September 14, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua had told a church congregation that he would prove doubters wrong by going head-to-head with President Ruto in the next election.
