NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has left the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi after concluding his month-long tour of the United States.
Gachagua’s flight touched down at about 1pm on Thursday, where he was received by political allies and enthusiastic supporters who had camped at the airport since morning.
Many donned party colours and waved banners of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Shortly after his arrival, Gachagua was ushered into a motorcade that snaked its way out of the airport amid heavy security deployment.
Police officers patrolled the airport perimeter while water cannons and armoured vehicles were stationed along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
The convoy, accompanied by scores of supporters chanting pro-DCP slogans, headed towards the city centre, with Kamukunji grounds expected to be the main stopover.
Authorities had earlier cautioned the DCP against holding unsanctioned rallies, warning that the government would not tolerate disruptions to peace and business in the capital.
It remained unclear whether police would allow the Kamukunji gathering to proceed.
Gachagua, who was impeached in 2024 after a fallout with President William Ruto, spent six weeks in the U.S. where he met diaspora communities in Seattle, Dallas, Boston, and Baltimore, and launched DCP satellite offices.
He has used the trip to rally support against what he termed as government corruption and human rights violations.
His return now sets the stage for a potential showdown between his supporters and the authorities.
— More updates to follow as the situation unfolds.
