SPOKANE, Washington — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has explained his recent return to shooting practice in the United States, saying he wanted to refresh weapon-handling and basic combat skills he acquired during military training more than three decades ago.
Gachagua also said he had taken his wife to a shooting range to teach her basic firearm-handling skills, arguing that the security situation in Kenya had deteriorated and people needed to remain alert.
Speaking during a community engagement with Kenyans in Spokane, Washington, Gachagua said his last formal training in weaponry and basic combat skills was in 1990.
“The last time was when I went for training in 1990 on weaponry and basic combat skills. So I’m taking time here to do some bit of weaponry, some bit of basic combat skills,” Gachagua said.
He said his stay in the United States had provided an opportunity to practise shooting and refresh skills he had not used for many years.
Gachagua says he is teaching his wife
Gachagua said he had also taken his wife to a shooting range to teach her basic firearm handling and shooting.
He linked the decision to what he described as increasing insecurity and lawlessness, saying people could find themselves vulnerable when alone.
“I’m also trying to teach my wife some basics. You know, these goons can cause harm to anybody, can’t they?” he said.
He said the training was intended to give his wife basic knowledge of what to do in a potentially dangerous situation.
“So I told her that is why I have taken her to the range a little bit, to learn how to shoot this way and this way, so that she can also know what to do even when she is alone. Because Kenya has deteriorated. Even you, when you come home, you should be alert,” Gachagua said.
He also encouraged Kenyans living in Spokane to remain vigilant and learn basic firearm-handling skills.
His comments came as a video of him at a shooting range in the United States circulated widely on social media, showing him handling and firing a firearm.
‘Kenya kumeharibika’
Gachagua used the engagement to expand on his concerns about Kenya’s security and governance.
“Because Kenya kumeharibika,” he said, explaining his decision to ensure his wife had basic firearm-handling knowledge.
The former Deputy President said many Kenyans were concerned about what he described as rising lawlessness, unconstitutional practices, conflicts of interest and economic sabotage.
He did not provide specific evidence for each of the allegations during the engagement, but presented them as part of his broader criticism of the country’s current state of governance.
The remarks form part of Gachagua’s continuing political criticism of the government as he positions himself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua targets security concerns
Security has remained a prominent element of Gachagua’s political messaging since leaving office.
In Spokane, he told Kenyans in the diaspora that the security situation was a concern that required greater vigilance.
His remarks about shooting practice were therefore presented within a wider argument about personal safety and the state of security in Kenya.
Gachagua’s comments have also generated renewed public attention because of the visibility of the shooting-range video and the former Deputy President’s explanation that he was refreshing skills acquired during earlier training.
Diaspora role in rebuilding Kenya
Beyond security, Gachagua used the engagement to outline what he described as a role for Kenyans living abroad in rebuilding the country.
He said the diaspora’s expertise, technology and knowledge would be important to Kenya’s development under a future government.
Gachagua said Kenyans abroad already make a significant contribution to the economy through remittances but remain concerned about how national resources are being utilised.
He argued that a future administration should create mechanisms for tapping the skills and experience of Kenyans living overseas.
Gachagua promises to tap diaspora expertise
Gachagua said Kenyans abroad should not be viewed only as sources of remittances but also as a pool of professional and technical expertise.
He said their knowledge could help develop industries, improve technology adoption and create opportunities for skilled Kenyans both at home and abroad.
In his message to the diaspora, Gachagua said a future government would seek to build stronger links between Kenyans overseas and development programmes in the country.
The former Deputy President’s remarks come as political leaders increasingly engage Kenyans in the diaspora ahead of the 2027 elections.
Diaspora communities have become an important constituency for political campaigns, both because of their economic contribution and their potential influence on national political debates.
