Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, popularly known as Riggy G, departed for the United States on Wednesday night, July 9, 2025, embarking on a two-month tour to engage the Kenyan diaspora and international stakeholders.
The trip, announced by Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), aims to discuss the “state of the nation” following deadly Saba Saba protests that claimed 31 lives, per the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and caused an Sh18 billion daily GDP loss.
Gachagua’s USA tour, covering cities like Dallas, California, Seattle, Boston, and Baltimore, has sparked both anticipation and controversy amid allegations that President William Ruto’s administration sought to block his departure.
Speaking at a press conference in Karen, Nairobi, hours before his flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Gachagua, seen off by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, and allies like Nyandarua Senator John Methu, defiantly addressed government interference claims.
“Tonight, I will be travelling to the U.S.A. to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora… If you want to come and arrest me at the airport, you can go ahead,” he stated.
JUST IN: RIGGY G arrival at JKIA for their USA tour pic.twitter.com/pU5yZoZXBE
— Alinur Mohamed (@AlinurMohamed_) July 9, 2025
His itinerary includes town hall meetings, cultural events with Kenyan artists, and discussions with U.S. investors to promote his opposition agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua’s USA tour follows his ouster in October 2024 after a fallout with Ruto, whom he accuses of betraying promises like creating 4 million jobs.
Leading the “Wantam” (One Term) movement, Gachagua insists his coalition, including Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, seeks to unseat Ruto through the ballot, not unconstitutional means.
“Nobody wants to overthrow you. We want to remove you in 2027,” he said, urging Ruto to focus on economic reforms like restoring “the dignity of the payslip”.
The tour comes amid heightened political tensions, with Gachagua alleging state-sponsored violence during the Saba Saba protests, including the burning of Itibo Police Station after a student’s fatal shooting.
He accused Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah of orchestrating attacks to frame protesters, a claim Ichung’wah dismissed as “ridiculous” on X.
Diaspora engagement is central to Gachagua’s strategy, with Kenya’s 3 million-strong diaspora contributing $4.17 billion in remittances in 2024.
His meetings in Dallas and Boston aim to rally support and discuss issues like police brutality and unemployment, which fuelled the protests.
Gachagua’s allies argue the tour will strengthen his opposition coalition, positioning him as a key player for 2027. As Riggy G’s USA tour unfolds, it signals a bold move to reshape Kenya’s political landscape from abroad.
