Rigathi Gachagua has pushed back against calls for the opposition to quickly settle on its 2027 presidential candidate, saying the coalition has enough time to agree on who will face President William Ruto.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said the opposition's attention should currently be on building a strong political base, mobilising voters and preparing for the General Election rather than focusing on who will carry its presidential ticket.
Gachagua spoke on Wednesday night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shortly before flying to the United States, where he is expected to meet Kenyans living in the diaspora.
He said selecting one presidential candidate would not be a major problem for the opposition once the time comes, and that the coalition should instead concentrate on the bigger task of convincing Kenyans to turn out and vote.
"Choosing a single presidential candidate is the easiest of all the challenges that we have ahead of us. We can meet one day for lunch and before dinner we have a candidate," Gachagua stated.
"The real job, and that's what I expect of my colleagues in the United Opposition to do, is political mobilisation against Ruto, it's to persuade Kenyans to register as voters, come out and vote him out and vote in a responsible government."
He asked Kenyans to be patient with the opposition's plans, saying there was no need to make an early decision on the presidential candidate.
To support his argument, Gachagua referred to the 2002 election, when the opposition picked Mwai Kibaki as its joint presidential candidate only weeks before Kenyans went to the polls.
"I want to ask Kenyans to be patient. Mwai Kibaki was chosen as the single presidential candidate for the opposition on October 14, 2002, when elections were to be held on December 27 the same year. We have a whole year, what is the hurry?" Gachagua posed.
He suggested that discussions on the opposition's flag bearer could gain momentum after Christmas, with a final agreement possibly reached in March or April 2027.
"In my view, hii ni maneno ya March, April huko. I am very happy with what is happening in Western Kenya. Wamalwa, Sifuna, Malala, they are doing a good job. After Christmas, we should be able to agree and come up with a single presidential candidate."
Gachagua has already placed himself among those seeking the opposition ticket, saying he believes he is the strongest choice for the presidency.
However, he said his personal ambition would not stand in the way of an agreement and pledged to support the person eventually chosen by the coalition.
"I have said I am the most suitable, but in case my colleagues see otherwise, whoever is agreed on has my support," he stated.
The search for a joint opposition candidate comes as several political figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Those who have declared or indicated interest include Gachagua, Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang'i, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and former Chief Justice David Maraga.
Gachagua's bid is also tied to an ongoing court battle over his impeachment. He recently appealed a High Court ruling that upheld his removal from office, with the outcome of the case potentially affecting his ability to seek the presidency.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has gained attention through the Linda Mwananchi Movement, with members of his political camp increasingly presenting him as another possible contender for the opposition's top seat.
Sifuna's growing profile adds another name to an already crowded field as opposition parties try to balance individual ambitions with their push for a united challenge against Ruto.
Gachagua said the opposition should use the remaining period to organise itself, persuade more Kenyans to register as voters and build momentum ahead of the election.
The key test for the United Opposition will now be whether its leaders can contain their competing ambitions and eventually rally behind one candidate, with Gachagua placing the likely decision around March or April next year.