Gachagua Says Govt Blocked His Travel as He Misses DCP Rally in Kakamega
Former deputy president and Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has become the centre of a new political storm after he failed to attend a highly publicized rally in Kakamega.
The event, which was expected to showcase the party’s growing strength in the Western region, turned chaotic after Gachagua’s team claimed that government officials blocked all his travel arrangements from Nairobi.
Gachagua’s Travel Plans Collapse Despite Multiple Attempts
Gachagua was scheduled to attend a thanksgiving ceremony in Kisa East on Friday, December 5. The ceremony was held to celebrate DCP candidate Aduda Okwiri, who recently won the MCA seat in the November 27 by-election.
Hundreds of residents gathered early, confident that their party leader would join them and boost the region’s political momentum.
However, as hours passed with no sign of Gachagua, frustration grew. It fell on DCP deputy party leader and former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala to explain what had happened.
Malala told the crowd that Gachagua’s travel problems started from the moment he woke up, saying officials had allegedly given strict orders preventing him from leaving Nairobi.
According to Malala, Gachagua had booked a helicopter for an early-morning flight, but the company suddenly withdrew the aircraft after being warned that they would lose government business if they allowed him to travel.
Malala added that a second helicopter they booked was declared “faulty,” and the team was told the refund would only be processed the following Tuesday.
With the charter options collapsing, Gachagua’s team turned to a fixed-wing commercial plane heading to Kisumu. But they were later informed that the route was too busy due to several major funerals in the region.
As a last attempt, the DCP team planned for Gachagua to land at Matulo airstrip in Webuye, where vehicles had already been sent to pick him up. But upon reaching the airstrip, they were told it had been closed unexpectedly.
By the time the rally kicked off, Malala said it was obvious that Gachagua would not make it to Western Kenya. He also claimed that police officers had been deployed from different sub-counties in Vihiga and positioned in Khwisero, seemingly in anticipation of the former deputy president’s arrival.
Gachagua Addresses Supporters Through a Phone Call
To calm the restless crowd, Kiambu senator Karungo wa Thang’wa called Gachagua and placed him on loudspeaker.
Speaking briefly, Gachagua apologized to his supporters, saying all the flights he had paid for were cancelled and refunded. His message was short but emotional, as he expressed regret for missing an event he had looked forward to.
“My people, greetings. Are you well, cousins? I wanted to be there with you, but I faced travel problems. Every flight I paid for was cancelled, though they refunded the money. But it’s alright,” Gachagua told the crowd.
Atwoli Fires Back at Gachagua and Malala
In a related political exchange, COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli responded sharply to Gachagua’s allies after they claimed that the recent Kisa East by-election was a blow to his political influence.
Atwoli dismissed those claims as “nonsense,” emphasizing that the ward in question is not even his home area.
Atwoli insisted that the by-election result had nothing to do with his political power or influence in Kakamega.
In a bold message, he warned Malala and Gachagua that he would personally ensure their political ambitions in Western Kenya and at the national level fail by 2027. He accused them of misleading the public and trying to drag his name into a contest that does not involve him.
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