Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua [GACHAGUA/X]Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is set to visit Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County during the day for a thanksgiving occasion.
The visit comes following a notable performance by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Vincent Kibet Rotich in the parliamentary by-election held earlier in May.
Gachagua is expected to join DCP supporters and political allies from across the country at an event organised following the contest, in which DCP candidate Vincent Kibet Rotich finished second to United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate David Kipsang Keter.
The visit comes against the backdrop of a closely watched by-election that provided an early test of DCP's ability to challenge UDA in a region traditionally viewed as a stronghold of President William Ruto.
Keter won the May 14 contest with 18,266 votes, while Rotich secured 10,760 votes across the constituency's 94 polling stations.
Although DCP failed to capture the seat, its tally represented a substantial share of the votes in a contest ultimately dominated by UDA.
Gachagua seized on the result at the time to argue that the party was making inroads in the Rift Valley, saying “10,760 votes is no mean feat.”
Today's visit gives Gachagua a chance to thank his party for the support in the constituency and to highlight DCP's efforts to expand its political base ahead of the 2027 general election.
The planned visit has, however, generated political concerns, with the DCP leader seeking assurances from the National Police Service over the safety of his entourage and supporters.
In a letter dated August 20 addressed to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua said he intended to visit Emurua Dikirr on August 21 following an invitation from Rotich.
He said he had received reports of threats linked to the planned visit and asked police to guarantee the safety of his supporters, entourage and residents.
“My attention has been drawn to threats which have been recorded on videos, shared online, and reported by the mainstream and social media, that my entourage and I should not set foot in Emurua Dikirr on August 21, 2026,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President said he had a constitutional right to travel to any part of the country and participate in political activities.
“I am a Kenyan with the right to visit any part of the country, and I have the right to enjoy the freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of Kenya. Note that Emurua Dikirr is part of Kenya,” he said.
“What happened in Homa Bay was a shame of the highest magnitude in post-independence Kenya.”
He was referring to the recent political violence in Homa Bay, where a Linda Mwananchi political mobilisation convoy led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and other opposition leaders was disrupted amid clashes, road blockades and burning tyres.
At least four people died, and dozens were injured during the confrontation.
