Showdown looms as former DP Rigathi Gachagua cuts short US tour
In a statement on Thursday, August 14, Gachagua said his early return was to focus on preparations for the upcoming by-elections, apologising to supporters that he would no longer be able to meet on his trip.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cut short his two-month tour of the United States and is set to return ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
In a statement on Thursday, August 14, Gachagua said his early return was to focus on preparations for the upcoming by-elections, apologising to supporters that he would no longer be able to meet them on his trip.
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"I had a very successful and fulfilling visit to the United States with meaningful engagements with Kenyans in the diaspora. I regret being unable to visit the remaining scheduled states as I need to return home to join our party, the Democratic Change Party (DCP), in preparation for the by-elections. I am sorry to cut my trip short; my profound apologies to the organisers and Kenyans I was to meet. The visits have been rescheduled for early next year," said Gachagua.
Gachagua's return follows a declaration last week by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that the former DP will record a statement upon his return to Kenya from the US.
This follows Gachagua’s claims that President William Ruto held a secret meeting with Al-Shabaab leaders in Mandera.
Speaking in Narok, Murkomen said Gachagua must not be allowed to tarnish the country’s reputation or that of the police service, insisting that lawful action will be taken.
Murkomen warned that such moves would endanger international security amid global efforts to curb extremism. "He must come and put all those allegations on record," said Murkomen.
Murkomen added that Gachagua must substantiate his claims or face accountability.
"We expect him to tell us which Al-Shabaab operatives he negotiated with and who represented us in those talks, because this propaganda must stop," he warned. "Just one year ago, he was praising the same police in Garissa; one year after he was impeached, he has turned toxic."
In a rejoinder on Saturday, however, Gachagua said he does not owe any explanation to the Kenyan government, but rather to the American Senate, which is reportedly investigating the matter and has ordered a review of Kenya's non-NATO ally status.
“We cannot help in any investigations because the Kenyan government has not initiated any investigations against William Ruto. The people who have initiated the investigation are the American Senate, so if there is a need for us to help in investigations, we will help the American Senate, not the Kenyan government,” said Gachagua.
During his tour, Gachagua travelled widely across the US, mobilising support for DCP and criticising Ruto’s leadership record, including human rights violations.
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