Gachagua to jet off to the US for 2-month visit » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 9 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua tonight begins a two‑month visit to the United States, where he will engage Kenyan diaspora communities and the international community on what he calls ‘the state of the nation.’

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader confirmed his itinerary amid allegations that the government intends to scuttle his tour.

“Tonight, I shall be traveling to the U.S. to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora and the international community about the state of the nation,” Gachagua said.

He claimed that associates had received warnings allegedly from officials close to President William Ruto intending to block his exit.

“If you want to come and arrest me at the airport… you can go ahead,” he stated.

This marks Gachagua’s first foreign trip since his impeachment in October 2024, when he was removed from office.

His planned tour includes stops in major diaspora hubs Dallas, California, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore where Gachagua will host town hall discussions, cultural events, and meetings with American business investors.

Earlier, he told President William Ruto that the ‘Wantam’ movement not out to seize power illegally but only fighting for good governance.

Gachagua indicated that the United Opposition will instead focus on the 2027 elections to unseat President Ruto.

While stating that the movement is rooted in democratic ideals, not political sabotage, he urged the Gen Z youth to register as voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Nobody wants to overthrow you. We want to remove you from power through the ballot in 2027,” he said.

He asserted that the push behind the ‘one-term’ narrative is not a call for regime change through illegal channels, but rather a democratic expression of discontent.

“To President Ruto, I say this with a lot of humility: please stop being angry, the people of Kenya are far angrier than you are. If you truly want this to end, then restore the dignity of the payslip,” he stated.

“When the middle class can breathe, they will create jobs for our young people. Stop the abductions, stop the extra-judicial killings. And if you want this to end, disband the killer squad.”

Earlier, President Ruto, accused unnamed political actors of sponsoring chaos and promoting unconstitutional means of ouster, vowing to crack down hard on any efforts to destabilize his government.

Ruto dared his critics to wait for the 2027 polls instead of resorting to “unconstitutional methods.”