Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at JKIA before leaving for on May 15, 2026/SCREENGRABGachagua cited mounting pressure from Kenyans and urgent national economic concerns.
Speaking to journalists at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before his departure, Gachagua said the decision was driven by what he described as a “crisis situation” in the country, particularly rising transport costs and fuel price concerns.
“I was supposed to go for one month in the United Kingdom for a series of activities, but I have moved. I have no other way. I have to cut short. I will not be long. I will take five to six days,” he said.
He added that his conscience and civic responsibility had compelled him to shorten the trip, insisting he could not remain abroad while citizens faced economic hardship.
“I must come back, because we cannot leave the country when the people of Kenya are in trouble, when the people of Kenya are struggling, when people of Kenya cannot move, when prices of fare is going to be hiked,” he said.
“I must be able to come and do what I need to do. It is my civic duty to be able to fight for the people of Kenya.”
Gachagua said the UK visit was initially intended to include a series of his Democratic Change Party (DCP) mobilisation activities among the diaspora, but he would now only undertake a short stay before returning to Kenya to resume political engagements.
“Much as I would have wanted to go to the UK to market my party, the DCP, to be able to have party activities and other things that had lined up, I only be able to do for a week, and then I’ll have to come back, so that I join my colleagues, so that we consult the people of Kenya, and we decide what to do,” he said.
He further warned of possible escalated political action, including mass mobilisation, if the government fails to address rising transport costs.
“If we have to take to the streets, so be it. We have to say, let the transport sector stop until these matters are addressed,” he said, adding: “I have discussed with my colleagues, and we are saying this situation cannot be allowed to happen.”
Gachagua also confirmed that opposition leaders would hold a virtual meeting on Saturday to deliberate on the country’s economic situation, after scheduled physical consultations were disrupted by competing engagements.
He explained that several key leaders were unavailable for an in-person meeting due to prior commitments.
“Fred Matiang’i and Kalonzo Musyoka were away in Kisii for a funeral, Eugene Wamalwa was away in Kakamega for a petition because of the Malaba by-election, and since I’m leaving, we could not be able to have a meeting,” he said.
"We have agreed we’ll have a Zoom meeting tomorrow, so that we can agree on the way forward.”
The leaders are expected to focus their discussions on the rising cost of fuel, transport disruptions, and potential coordinated political responses, including support for the planned matatu industry strike set for Monday.
