NAIROBI, Kenya- Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has announced plans to tour four counties in Luo Nyanza, saying he has never had a problem with the Luo community despite his often bitter political exchanges with leaders from the region.
Gachagua said he plans to visit Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay and Kisumu after returning from the United States, where he is currently scheduled to travel.
“Once I come back, I will invite Ramogi again. I will arrange a tour of Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay and Kisumu Dala,” Gachagua said on Monday.
The former Deputy President said the planned visit follows an invitation extended to him by Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who he said told him that residents wanted to hear from him.
Gachagua said he also intends to engage journalists from local television and radio stations before visiting Kango Ka Jaramogi in Bondo to pay his last respects to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The planned tour comes days after Gachagua said he had been invited to Homa Bay following the violent disruption of a Linda Mwananchi political rally in the county.
The DCP leader has sought to distance himself from perceptions that he is hostile to the Luo community, arguing that his political disagreements should not be interpreted as opposition to the community.
“You claim that Riggy Gee has a problem with Luos, yet I never ran against Raila. Ours was just political competition, but I have never done anything against the community,” Gachagua said.
He cited his past working relationships with Luo professionals as evidence that he has no problem with the community.
Gachagua said Samuel Oreta, a Luo who served as Kiambu District Commissioner, mentored him in politics, while he also worked closely with former Kakamega District Commissioner Peter Raburu.
He further said he had entrusted people from Luo Nyanza with his healthcare and that his architect also comes from the region.
Gachagua accuses Ruto of creating divisions
Gachagua also accused President William Ruto of attempting to create a rift between the Mt Kenya region and Luo Nyanza, maintaining that there is no inherent conflict between the two communities.
His planned visit to the region would mark a significant expansion of his political mobilisation beyond his Mt Kenya base as he positions DCP ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The announcement also comes shortly after political tensions in Homa Bay following the disruption of Linda Mwananchi rallies on August 16.
The movement later called for investigations into the violence, alleging that its convoy was attacked along several routes in the county.
Gachagua’s planned tour of Siaya, Migori, Homa Bay and Kisumu could therefore provide an early test of his efforts to build political links outside Mt Kenya and appeal directly to voters in a region historically associated with Raila Odinga’s political base.
For Gachagua, however, the message is that political competition should not be confused with hostility between communities.
“I have never done anything against the community,” he said.
