NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua returned to the country on Thursday afternoon after a month-long tour of the United States, where he rallied Kenyans abroad and criticized President William Ruto’s administration.
Gachagua touched down at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) around 1pm, accompanied by his wife, Pastor Dorcas.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader was received by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters, some donning party-branded caps and waving banners in the DCP’s colours.
The homecoming drew a heavy police presence, with anti-riot officers deployed along Mombasa Road, a police helicopter circling the skies above JKIA, and water cannons on standby.
Youths chanting pro-opposition slogans milled around the airport junction as boda boda riders joined the procession.
It remains unclear whether Gachagua will proceed to Kamukunji grounds as earlier announced by DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala.
Malala had declared that the rally would begin with a procession from JKIA to Nairobi’s Central Business District, culminating at Kamukunji.
“The peaceful procession will show the strength of our movement. Your presence is your power, your numbers are your shield, your unity is our victory,” Malala told supporters ahead of the arrival, urging crowds in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa to turn up in “unprecedented numbers.”
During his U.S. tour, Gachagua visited Seattle, Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, and Baltimore, where he inaugurated DCP satellite offices and urged diaspora Kenyans to actively participate in shaping Kenya’s political future.
According to the party, the trip was aimed at mobilising support and encouraging skilled Kenyans abroad to return home and “help rebuild the country.”
The DCP accused the government of attempting to frustrate Gachagua’s return, claiming opposition leaders have recently faced harassment, tear gas attacks, and intimidation in counties including Kakamega, Murang’a, and Gilgil.
Gachagua, who was impeached last October after a bitter fallout with President Ruto, cut short his U.S. trip to lead the party in upcoming by-elections.
In a statement, DCP vowed to resist what it called the “auctioning of Kenya’s sovereignty,” pledging to continue pressing for “a government of truth, dignity, and humility.”
