Tension is rising ahead of the much-anticipated return of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, after a section of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) supporters declared that they would strip in protest if he is arrested upon arrival.
Gachagua, who has been in the United States for nearly two months, is expected back in the country this week, and his loyal supporters in Embu have already issued strong warnings to the government against what they term as political intimidation.
Speaking during a heated press briefing on Wednesday, August 20, the group, led by vocal party supporter Beth Kariuki, said they would not tolerate any attempt to silence Gachagua through harassment or detention.
The women insisted that their leader has every right to return home peacefully, and that any move to arrest him at the airport would be met with dramatic resistance.
Kariuki and the group emphasized that women in particular would not sit back and watch their political leader humiliated. In an emotional declaration, one supporter said:
“Gachagua is a Kenyan citizen, and he deserves to come back home freely. If he is arrested, we as women will protest in the strongest way possible, even by stripping, because we know the pain of raising children and watching our families suffer. You impeached him without proper reason and we remained quiet. But if you arrest him, we shall not keep silent anymore. We shall remove our clothes and stand for justice.”
The supporters also expressed their admiration for Gachagua, praising his resilience and leadership. They vowed to welcome him warmly and invited him to visit Embu immediately after landing in the country.
“Gachagua, we want you in Embu. Once you arrive, the first place you should come is here, to speak to us, your people. We are waiting eagerly to hear from you and to give you our support,” the supporters said with excitement.
According to the Embu branch of DCP, Gachagua’s return is not just symbolic, but also politically significant. They view it as a defining moment for his grassroots supporters in Embu and across Kenya.
They revealed that Gachagua is expected to tour the county soon after his arrival to rally support for the party’s candidate in the upcoming Mbeere North by-election.
Other party officials also shared their views during the press conference. John Arimi, who has declared interest in the 2027 Embu senatorial race on a DCP ticket, strongly welcomed Gachagua back and called for transparency on claims that some leaders were bribed to support his impeachment. He urged Kenyans not to ignore such serious allegations but instead demand accountability.
Another supporter, Jasmel Gechini, cautioned the state against persecuting opposition leaders, warning that democracy cannot thrive when critics are suppressed. He stressed that a true democracy is built on respecting diverse voices and allowing political leaders to air their opinions without fear of intimidation.
Echoing similar views, Thoithi, another supporter, reminded the government that freedom of speech and freedom of association are constitutional rights that no regime has the power to undermine. He insisted that attempts to silence leaders through arrests and intimidation would only strengthen the resolve of their supporters.
Meanwhile, former DP Rigathi Gachagua is scheduled to land in the country on Thursday, August 21, after spending close to two months in the US. During his stay abroad, he is reported to have been meeting Kenyans in the diaspora and mobilizing support for his political future.
However, his return has already sparked heated debate within government circles. Some leaders, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, have publicly called for Gachagua’s arrest over remarks he made while in the US, which they claim undermined national unity and disrespected state institutions.
With emotions running high and his supporters vowing dramatic protests if he is detained, all eyes are now on Gachagua’s arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
His homecoming is expected to be one of the most politically charged moments in recent months, potentially setting the stage for fresh confrontations between the government and the opposition.
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