The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has cut short his diaspora tour of the United States after a month.
In a statement early Thursday morning, August 14, Gachagua relayed that his decision was to allow him to make preparations for the upcoming by-elections.
Apologising for the inconvenience caused, he stated that he would revisit the trip in early 2026. Gachagua left for the trip on July 9, which was to last two months.
"I had a very successful and fulfilling visit to the United States of America with serious engagements with Kenyans in the Diaspora. I regret being unable to visit the scheduled remaining States since I need to get back home to join our party, DCP, in preparation for the upcoming By-Elections in various parts of our country," he stated.
"I am sorry to cut my trip short; my profound apologies to the organisers and Kenyans whom I was to meet; the same has been rescheduled for early next year."
Following his decision, Gachagua said that he would be taking a few days to rest before heading back to Kenya, and he would soon make his itinerary public.
"I thank the Kenyans in the States for the love, warmth, and hospitality they accorded to us. I salute the organisers and officials of the DCP chapters for superb planning, organisation, and meticulous coordination," Gachagua stated.
Gachagua's decision comes amid controversy stemming from some of the comments he made during his US trip, which was supposed to last two months.
During a past engagement a week ago, Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto had a clandestine meeting with three Al Shabaab members in Mandera, further alluding that the scrapping of the vetting process before ID issuance in Northeastern Kenya was a scheme to register non-Kenyans indiscriminately.
As such, the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen directed the former DP to record a statement with the authorities upon his return to Kenya, as the claims he made were damning and needed to be investigated.
Responding to the CS a day later on Sunday, August 10, Gachagua doubled down on his claims, claiming that he was unafraid of being apprehended.
In his statement announcing the trip's end, however, he did not allude to any of these claims, insisting that his return was due to the upcoming by-elections set for November 27.
A week ago, on August 5, DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala unveiled candidates vying in the by-elections, affirming that the party would be represented in all 22 jurisdictions participating in the by-elections.
