Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has explained why he is heading to the United States of America, just days following the Saba Saba demonstrations, which left behind a trail of fatalities, injuries and loss of property.
While addressing the press on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Gachagua pleaded with his supporters “to understand him” for travelling to the U.S. just days following the aftermath of the deadly demonstrations.
The former DP further claimed that undisclosed individuals have threatened to prevent him from leaving the country.
The scheduled trip is notably set to be his first foreign outing since his ouster from office last October.
“Tonight, I will be travelling to the U.S. to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora and the international community about the state of the nation. I would have wanted to stay in the country at this very difficult time when our people are under siege, but I have engagements that I’m not able to postpone. I have been threatened by people close to (President) William Ruto, who called some of my people today that they will want to stop me from leaving the country,” he said.
“If you want to come and arrest me at the airport as you are threatening us, you can go ahead, I don’t have a problem. As I am out of the country, if I’m not stopped from going, we have made sufficient arrangements with other leaders in the United Opposition to create a pool of lawyers to come in for our young people who are being prosecuted for trumped-up charges.”
Also Read: Gachagua Responds to Ruto Over Plans to Overthrow Him
Gachagua set for U.S. tour
Back in June, reports emerged that the former DP, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), would tour several cities in the U.S. between July and August in a bid to woo the Kenyan diaspora ahead of the 2027 elections.
The reports indicated that he is set to visit cities such as Dallas, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore during the tour where he will hold several town hall meetings with Kenyans living in the U.S. and attend social gatherings to promote his agenda for the diaspora community.
The former DP is also expected to interact with selected American businesspeople and investors as part of a broader campaign to position the opposition as a viable alternative in the run-up to the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, Gachagua has denied claims that the opposition is planning to “overthrow” President William Ruto from power.
This comes after President Ruto, in a statement earlier, warned against attempts to “overthrow” the government through “unconstitutional means”, claiming recent violent protests were sponsored.
Also Read: Wetang’ula Responds to Allegations of Hiring Goons to Attack Gachagua Convoy
Speaking during a tour at Kilimani, Nairobi, the Head of State firmly declared that his rivals will not succeed in forcibly removing him from power through “unconstitutional means”.
He said he will not allow the country to be destabilised by individuals pushing for a change in leadership outside of the constitutional process.
The President further dismissed what he described as attempts by impatient groups to force an early transition of power, saying such efforts would not succeed.
Addresses claims of overthrowing Govt
At the same time, he called on his critics to prepare for the 2027 general election if they believe they have better policies to offer Kenyans.
“This country will not be destroyed by a few people who are impatient and who want a change of government using unconstitutional means. It is not going to happen,” Ruto stated.
“If they have plans, let’s meet in 2027. They should prepare their manifesto, and then we will meet in 2027. There is no shortcut in between.”
However, Gachagua said the ‘wantam’ movement is not seeking to seize power unconstitutionally.
“We want to advise you that the wantam movement is not getting you out of power outside the Constitution,” Gachagua said.
“Mr. President, nobody wants to overthrow your government, nobody wants you out of power through unconstitutional means.”
The former second in command also said the opposition, which has made its position clear, only seeks to remove Ruto from State House through the ballot in 2027.
He criticised Ruto for alleging that there is a plot to “overthrow” his administration, maintaining that the claim is an excuse to persecute opposition leaders.
“Nobody wants you out of government unconstitutionally. We want to face you on the ballot in August 2027, so just relax,” the former DP said.
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