Omtatah: I am open to working with Gachagua but...

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah now says that he is open to working with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, as long as he meets some of his conditions.

Speaking on Tuesday, Omtatah, who is eyeing the presidency in 2027, said that working together will be more focused on ideology and nothing more.

He insisted that he is ready to support any candidate whose policy will focus on ending the executive presidency that the country currently has and help liberate Kenya.

The Senator, however, warned that he cannot be part of any group that drives the tribal agenda.

“I would work with him (Rigathi Gachagua). Why not? But it will be on the question of the ideological framework. I am a Civic Republican, if it’s a policy framework that begins with dismantling the executive presidency, I will support anybody who helps us achieve the emancipation of Kenyans.

“If we have a clear policy agreement, not an agreement of tribes. That I cannot be part of,” Omtatah said on Citizen TV.

He further noted that so far, he has not seen any tangible policy ideas from the United Opposition outfit.

Omtatah said all they have been able to come up with so far is the ‘Wantam (One term) and Ruto must go’ slogans.

“I have not seen an ideology match from the Opposition camp, even President William Ruto has the united opposition to show its policy. I have also not seen a policy framework that has come from there other than ‘One term and Ruto must go’,” he said.

His remarks come even as the opposition continues to look for willing persons to work with ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Gachagua, who is currently in the United States for a month-long tour, is one of the co-conveners of the United Opposition outfit.

Others are former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, and PLP leader Martha Karua, among others.

In November 2024, Omtatah said he will be on the ballot even if he is a “lone ranger” in the battle to unseat the President.

It is a fight I’m going to take on so that in 2027, we have a free country,” the lawmaker said as he unveiled a team to spearhead his bid.

He said his resolve to unseat Ruto will not be distracted, whether he gets the support of other big names in the political arena or not.