Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is set to embark on a significant two-month tour of the United States tonight, July 9, marking his first international trip since being ousted from office. The visit, which Gachagua previously announced last month, is part of a broader strategy to engage the Kenyan diaspora and build international support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to the media in Nairobi before his departure, Gachagua emphasized the importance of the visit, saying, “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.”
During the trip, Gachagua will visit several American cities including Dallas, California, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore. He is expected to hold town hall meetings and attend social gatherings aimed at mobilizing support from the diaspora and sharing his vision for the country’s future.
The former DP also plans to meet with selected American investors and business leaders as part of efforts to strengthen ties between the opposition and international partners. Sources close to his team have hinted that some of these investors are keen on collaborating with the opposition coalition in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
However, Gachagua expressed concerns over alleged government attempts to block his travel, though he did not provide specific details. “There are efforts to frustrate this mission, but we remain focused,” he noted.
Gachagua’s trip aligns with a broader push by Kenya’s opposition leaders to raise their international profiles. His tour follows closely on the heels of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, who launched his own 2027 presidential campaign with a diaspora engagement in Texas.
As a leading figure in the opposition coalition that includes Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and Matiang’i, Gachagua’s U.S. tour underscores the growing efforts by the opposition to position itself as a credible alternative to President William Ruto’s administration.
With the diaspora vote and international support becoming increasingly influential, Gachagua’s engagements in the U.S. are likely to shape the political landscape in the months ahead.
