Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s extended tour of the United States has stirred political debate back home, drawing sharp criticism from a top advisor to President William Ruto.
Makau Mutua, Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs and a close ally of Raila Odinga, dismissed Gachagua’s tour as a “waste of time and resources.” In a blunt tweet posted on Wednesday, Mutua wrote: “THAT trip to the United States will yield ZERO political, or other capital — ZILCH. Not even one NDURURU!”
Gachagua embarked on the two-month tour on July 10, beginning in Seattle, where he launched a satellite office for his newly formed Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). The launch is widely viewed as a strategic step toward a possible 2027 presidential bid.
During his stay, the former DP has been holding town hall meetings, engaging Kenyan diaspora communities—including cultural events like Ngemi Cia Ruraya—and hosting forums such as one with the Abagusii community. His itinerary includes further engagement with business leaders and civil society.
Gachagua has branded the visit a “listening and engagement tour,” aimed at promoting civic education, reconnecting with the diaspora, and consolidating support for his vision of a “citizen-centered democracy.”
While his supporters hail the tour as a bold step toward democratic reform and diaspora inclusion, critics argue it lacks political traction and substantive impact. The skepticism is particularly strong among Ruto-aligned political elites, who question both the intent and timing of the tour.
Since falling out with President Ruto, Gachagua has repositioned himself as a grassroots leader, seeking to rally disillusioned voters under his DCP platform. His allies insist that engaging Kenya’s estimated half a million-strong diaspora is key to shaping a more inclusive and responsive political movement.
As the 2027 race begins to take shape, Gachagua’s U.S. tour underscores both the rising importance of the Kenyan diaspora and the deepening fractures within the country’s political establishment.
