As former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s 45-day conclave nears its July 31st deadline, his self-imposed political isolation has yielded a mixed bag.

Whereas the opposition leader has been able to consolidate Mt Kenya’s regional support and even forge a path for talks with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the conclave has  failed to show white smoke on the united opposition’s flagbearer with the principals yet to agree on a definitive formula for naming its forerunner ahead of the 2027 general elections.