Gachagua cuts short two-month US tour, set to return home amid storm over Al Shabaab claims
He says decision will enable him to join his DCP party in preparation for the upcoming by-elections in various parts of the country
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cut short his two-month tour of United States to return home so as to prepare for the up-coming by-elections, which have been scheduled for November 27.
In a post on his X account, Gachagua said he would take a few days rest before returning home.
“Having had a very successful and fulfilling visit to the United States of America with serious engagements with Kenyans in the Diaspora. I regret being unable to visit the scheduled remaining States since I need to get back home to join our party, @DCP_Democracy, in preparation for the upcoming By-Elections in various parts of our country. I am sorry to cut my trip short; my profound apologies to the organizers and Kenyans whom I were to meet; the same has been rescheduled to early next year,” he posted on Thursday morning (East African Time).
“I have taken a few days to rest before heading home, and as promised, my itinerary will be made public. 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,” Gachagua added.
Gachagua left the country on July 9 for a two-month tour across the US to engage Kenyans in the Diaspora.
During the tour, he has ruffled feathers within the Kenya Kwanza administration following his damning claims about alleged impunity being committed by the government and top officials, including grand corruption, extra-judicial killings and abductions, among others.
He also expressed support for a Bill sponsored by Senator James Risch, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, which seeks to authorise a review of Kenya’s Major Non-NATO Ally status conferred on June 24 last year over its dealings and ties with China, Russia and Iran.
It further seeks the Kenya government and key officials’ relationships with non-state armed groups and violent extremist organizations, including the Rapid Support Forces and al-Shabaab.
Gachagua urged Kenyans living and working in the US to reach out to their Senators with information and facts on what is happening to the country, claiming President William Ruto has allowed international crooks and foreign terrorist organisations and individuals to operate from Kenya.
In addition, he accused him of failing to stop extrajudicial killings, unnecessary force and violence against civilians using state-sponsored militia, police brutality, forced abductions and disappearances, illegal detentions, and blatant abuse of human rights, which will also be subject to the US review, if the Bill sails through.
As he return home, Kenyans will be watching to see what action police would take after the former DP declared he will not honour Deputy President Kindiki Kithure and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s call that he records a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over his claims that President Ruto met with Al Shabaab operatives during a tour of Mandera to “discuss business.”
“We can not help in any investigations because the Kenyan government has not initiated any investigations against William Ruto. The people who have initiated the investigation are the American Senate, so if there is a need for us to help in investigations, we will help the American Senate, not the Kenyan government,” Gachagua said on Saturday.
Instead, he dared the police to arrest him when he lands at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), perhaps, the reason why he says his itinerary will be made public.
Gachagua kicked off the tour in Seattle, Washington where he opened a satellite office before visiting various states for engagements, including in San Francisco City, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas, Boston and Arlington in Texas; Baltimore and Aberdeen in Maryland and Chelmsford in Massachusetts.
In addition to other engagements, he visited Silicon Valley where the former DP said he found 35 young Kenyans in senior positions at the heart of the various innovations at Google and Meta.
He also attended the’Peace Through Strength: Nuclear Weapons 80 Years Since Hiroshima and Nagasaki Conference at the Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence in Missouri.
The event, organised by the National Institute for Defense Studies, discussed emerging challenges in global security.
His last event as an engagement with Kenyans living and working in Los Angeles, Southern California on August 11.
Apart from by-election campaigns, Gachagua’s imminent return to the country is set to reignite activities within the Opposition, which have been rather low-key in the last one month.
DCP has announced it will field candidates in all the 22 mini-polls in what is see as a test run for the recently-formed party in readiness for a showdown with President Ruto’s UDA in the 2027 General Election.
The November by-elections include those for the Baringo Senate seat, MPs for Banissa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North, Ugunja.
Sixteen wards across the country are also expected to elect new MCAs after their ward representatives either passed away or lost their seats through court petitions.
They include Kabuchai in Bungoma, Angata Nanyokie in Samburu County, Chemundu/Kapng’etuny in Nandi County, Chewani in Tana River County, Fafi in Garissa County, Kariobangi North in Nairobi City County, Kisa East in Kakamega County, and Metkei in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Mumbuni North in Machakos County; Narok Town in Narok County; Purko in Kajiado County; Tembelio in Uasin Gishu County; Nyansiongo, Nyamaiya and Ekerenyo in Nyamira County; Lake Zone and Nanaam Wa in Turkana County residents will also elect new MCAs.
The campaign period for the by-elections will be between October 8 and November 24.
Political parties and candidates shall appoint and submit the names of their Election Agents to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by November 11.
IEBC shall also use the certified register of voters published on June 2022.
