Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he is ready to back Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s presidential ambitions.
He told a Kenyan diaspora gathering in Spokane, Washington, that age should not be used to lock young leaders out of the country’s top seat.
Gachagua, who is on an extended diaspora tour of the United States, said he sees no reason why he cannot support Sifuna, describing him as one of the serious contenders in the 2027 presidential race.
He took a swipe at COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli over remarks suggesting Sifuna is too young to run for president and should wait his turn, telling the Spokane gathering that a 44-year-old is more than capable of leading a country the size of Kenya, noting that leaders far younger have governed nations much larger.
“I have told my younger brother, Edwin Sifuna, don’t be discouraged by anybody. Go for it,” Gachagua said.
He added that if Sifuna can convince Kenyans he is the best candidate, he will earn their backing without any problem.
The former Deputy President said the same courtesy should extend to other political figures eyeing the presidency, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, if they can persuade the electorate they have what it takes to lead.
Gachagua argued that it is time political leaders stopped referring to the country’s youth as leaders of tomorrow, saying doing so amounts to sidelining them, and insisted that young leaders are in fact leaders of today who must be allowed to fight for their space.
“We cannot be telling our young leaders that they are the leaders of tomorrow. That is misusing them. I want to tell our young leaders they are the leaders of today, and they must fight for their space. And I’m willing and ready,” he said.
He said he was open to working with Sifuna in whatever arrangement the numbers allow, including a running mate pairing, and floated the possibility of himself deputising Sifuna, Sifuna deputising him, or either of them pairing with Kalonzo, saying a formula blending youthful energy with experience was achievable.
“If we do our arithmetic and we find Sifuna, so be it. Even I, Riggy G, I can deputise Sifuna. Sifuna can deputise me. Sifuna can deputise Kalonzo. Kalonzo can deputise Sifuna. I can tell you, we will come up with one, and you will love it. I see a solution where we can blend youthful energy with experience for our country,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua also responded to Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who reportedly suggested Sifuna’s support base was confined to Western Kenya, arguing that regional origin has never stopped Mt Kenya from backing a candidate from elsewhere, pointing to the region’s past support for President William Ruto.
He argued that backing Sifuna carries none of the baggage associated with past political alliances, stating that unlike previous leaders his region has supported, Sifuna has no history tying him to past cycles of political violence.
Separate candidates in opposition are campaigning ahead of next year’s polls.
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