Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will tonight board a flight to the United States, marking his first trip abroad since being forced out of office earlier this year.
Speaking to reporters in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon, Gachagua confirmed his long-planned journey, which will take him to at least five US cities over the next two months.
“Tonight, I will be travelling to the US to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora and the international community about the state of the nation,” Gachagua said.
The visit includes stops in Dallas, California, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore. He is expected to hold a series of town hall meetings, attend community events, and meet with business leaders.
Gachagua’s team says the tour is aimed at reconnecting with the diaspora and building support for the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election. Several private meetings are also scheduled with US-based investors said to be exploring partnerships with opposition leaders.
Although the former deputy president did not offer full details about those meetings, sources within his Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) suggested they are part of a broader strategy to show that the opposition is ready to lead.
This trip follows a growing trend among opposition figures turning their attention to diaspora communities, many of whom play an active role in Kenya’s political conversations through remittances and advocacy.
Just days ago, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i another possible 2027 contender launched his own international outreach with a town hall meeting in Texas.
Gachagua also hinted at political friction ahead of his trip, accusing the current administration of attempting to frustrate his travel plans. “They tried to block me, but I will not be intimidated,” he told journalists, without offering further proof.
Gachagua is now one of the most vocal members of the opposition alliance that includes Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, NARC Kenya’s Martha Karua, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, and Matiang’i.
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