Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged tourists and foreign investors to postpone travel and investment in Kenya, saying the country has become unsafe due to what he described as rising insecurity.
Speaking during a Sunday service at ACK St Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, the former Deputy President accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to guarantee public safety. His remarks come just days after the fiercely contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, which has further sharpened the political rivalry ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Our tourists are not safe in our country. There are too many goons. Tourists should suspend their visits until next year,” Gachagua told the congregation.
He extended the appeal to investors, saying: “Investors should keep away from Kenya. We are telling investors to stay away until next year.”
The comments mark one of Gachagua’s strongest public criticisms of the government since his departure from office. They also come as the administration continues to insist that Kenya remains secure and open for business, with officials maintaining that protecting visitors and investors remains a national priority.
Turning to the Ol Kalou by-election, Gachagua portrayed his party’s victory as a significant political statement ahead of the next presidential race. He argued that the contest had evolved beyond a local election and had become a measure of political sentiment in the Mt Kenya region.
He thanked voters for backing DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru despite what he alleged was an unprecedented deployment of government resources during the campaign.
“Despite all those goodies, they voted for the right candidate,” he said.
Without providing evidence, Gachagua claimed the government spent billions of shillings on development projects and campaign activities in an effort to influence the outcome. He further alleged that individual voters received substantial cash handouts during the campaign.
Referring to the by-election as a rehearsal for 2027, he declared that the next General Election would effectively become a contest between President Ruto and the Mt Kenya region.
“Hiyo ilikuwa rehearsal,” he said. “Uchaguzi ya Ol Kalou ilikuwa mashindano ya William Ruto na community. 2027 will be a contest between William Ruto and the community.”
Throughout his address, Gachagua urged residents to remain politically united, arguing that unity within the region would be decisive in the next election.
“The only way William Ruto comes to power is by dividing the mountain. Once we are united as a mountain, as a community, our votes added to other Kenyans, ataenda nyumbani,” he said.
He identified DCP as the political vehicle through which that unity should be achieved, appealing for committed grassroots organisers to strengthen the party across the region.
Gachagua also announced plans to expand his political tours to neighbouring counties, including Meru and Embu, after concluding his current engagements.
He went on to accuse senior government officials of sponsoring organised groups involved in political violence, including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. The Interior Ministry has previously rejected similar allegations, while Murkomen has defended the conduct of security agencies and maintained that law enforcement acted within the law during the Ol Kalou exercise.
Earlier in the church service, Gachagua urged religious institutions to ensure that donations accepted during fundraising events come from legitimate sources.
“Sisi tumekuja kuchangia kanisa na pesa ambazo tumeuza ng’ombe, sio kutoka kwa SHA au capitation,” he said.
His remarks followed one of Kenya’s most closely watched parliamentary by-elections in recent years. The Ol Kalou poll attracted a turnout of about 57 per cent, unusually high for a by-election, and was accompanied by heavy campaigning, reports of isolated violence and heightened security.
Supporters from different political camps closely monitored polling stations and tallying centres throughout the exercise. Residents also established roadblocks in some areas amid concerns over possible interference with the voting process.
When the ballots were counted, DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru secured a decisive victory with 35,440 votes, defeating UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who garnered 5,450 votes.
The result has strengthened DCP’s standing in the Mt Kenya region and is likely to intensify political competition as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 General Election.
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