Gachagua mingles with ‘cousins’ on morning walk

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday morning took a break from his Ukambani tour to interact with residents in Wote, Makueni county.

In a post shared on his X account, Gachagua described the walk as part of his routine to maintain mental and physical fitness, saying it also offered him an opportunity to connect with locals going about their daily activities.

“This morning, I enjoyed a refreshing walk through the slopes of Makueni county, a vital part of my mental fitness routine,” Gachagua said.

Odira hopes to go faster than her 1:54.62 lifetime best Athletics

Kenyan football fraternity mourns Gor Mahia, Harambee Stars playmaker Thigo Football

“I also took a moment to interact with my hardworking cousins, who have woken up early to build our country despite these challenging economic times.”

Photos shared alongside the post showed him walking along roadside paths, greeting traders who had already opened their business and exchanging pleasantries with residents.

In one image, a woman is seen stepping out of a kiosk with a smile as she approaches him during the walk.

The reference to “cousins” is a phrase Gachagua has previously used when addressing communities in the Ukambani region.

Last year, he referred to the Kamba community as cousins to the Kikuyu, framing the relationship as one rooted in shared history and cultural ties.

The term has since become a recurring feature in his engagements in the region.

His visit to Makueni is part of a broader tour across Ukambani, where he has been holding public engagements aimed at encouraging voter registration and strengthening grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general election.

The tour has seen him traverse several counties, meeting local leaders, traders and residents in both formal and informal settings.

During these visits, Gachagua has consistently emphasised the importance of voter registration, urging eligible Kenyans to sign up and participate in the electoral process.

The morning walk in Wote, though informal, appeared to align with this broader strategy of direct engagement with wananchi.

Gachagua is expected to continue his engagements in the region as part of his ongoing tour, which has increasingly focused on building alliances and consolidating support across different parts of the country ahead of 2027 elections.