The leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), Rigathi Gachagua, has abruptly ended his one-month diaspora tour of the United States, returning home earlier than planned to prepare for the upcoming by-elections.
In a statement released early on Thursday, August 14, Gachagua explained that while his trip was initially meant to last two months, he felt it was necessary to come back to Kenya to focus on the party’s preparations.
He apologised to Kenyans living abroad and event organisers for the inconvenience, promising to resume the tour in early 2026.
Gachagua had departed for the US on July 9 with a packed schedule to meet Kenyans living in different states.
While he described the visit as “very successful and fulfilling,” highlighting productive engagements with the Kenyan diaspora, he expressed regret at not being able to visit the remaining states on his itinerary.
“I am sorry to cut my trip short,” Gachagua said. “My profound apologies to the organisers and Kenyans I was scheduled to meet. These visits have now been rescheduled for early next year.
I appreciate the love, warmth, and hospitality from Kenyans in the States, and I salute the organisers and DCP chapter officials for their superb planning, organisation, and meticulous coordination.”
He added that he would take a short break to rest before returning to Kenya and would soon share his updated travel schedule with the public.
However, his sudden return comes at a time of political controversy. While in the US, Gachagua made explosive allegations that President William Ruto had secretly met three Al Shabaab members in Mandera.
He further claimed that scrapping the vetting process for issuing national IDs in Northeastern Kenya was part of a wider plan to register non-Kenyans without proper checks.
These remarks drew sharp reactions, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directing that Gachagua record a statement with authorities upon his return, as the allegations were serious and required investigation.
In response on Sunday, August 10, Gachagua stood by his claims, insisting he was not afraid of arrest. Interestingly, his Thursday statement announcing the end of the US trip made no mention of the controversy, instead maintaining that his return was purely to focus on the November 27 by-elections.
Just last week, on August 5, DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala unveiled the party’s candidates for the by-elections, confirming that DCP would field representatives in all 22 constituencies where voting will take place.
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