Why Rigathi Gachagua has been forced to cut short his US trip
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has abruptly ended his diaspora tour of the United States after just one month, citing the need to prepare for upcoming by-elections in Kenya.
In a statement issued early Thursday, August 14, Gachagua expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to Kenyans in the diaspora who had planned to meet him. He left Kenya on July 9 for what was meant to be a two-month engagement with DCP chapters and diaspora communities across several US states.
“I had a very successful and fulfilling visit to the United States of America with serious engagements with Kenyans in the Diaspora,” Gachagua said. “I regret being unable to visit the scheduled remaining States since I need to get back home to join our party in preparation for the upcoming By-Elections in various parts of our country.”
The by-elections are scheduled for November 27. DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala recently confirmed the party would field candidates in all 22 jurisdictions.
Apologising to organisers and supporters, Gachagua announced the unvisited states would be rescheduled to early 2026. “I am sorry to cut my trip short; my profound apologies to the organisers and Kenyans I was to meet. I have taken a few days to rest before heading home, and as promised, my itinerary will be made public,” he said.
Gachagua also extended his gratitude to the diaspora for their reception. “I thank the Kenyans in the States for the love, warmth, and hospitality they accorded to us. I salute the organisers and officials of the DCP chapters for superb planning, organisation, and meticulous coordination. You are simply the best. God bless you all, and God bless Kenya.”
His sudden return comes amid controversy over remarks he made during the trip. Speaking in the US last week, Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto had held a clandestine meeting in Mandera with three members of the militant group Al Shabaab. He further claimed the government’s decision to scrap the vetting process for ID issuance in Northeastern Kenya was part of a scheme to indiscriminately register non-Kenyans.
The allegations prompted Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to direct Gachagua to record a statement with the authorities upon his return to Kenya, terming the claims “damning and in need of investigation.”
On Sunday, August 10, Gachagua doubled down on his allegations, saying he was unafraid of being apprehended. However, in his Thursday statement announcing the trip’s early end, he made no reference to the controversy, instead insisting that his return was purely motivated by preparations for the by-elections.
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