DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua is set to make a major announcement on Monday before departing for the US, where he will spend “a considerable amount of time” consulting Kenyans in the diaspora and American friends.
Speaking at a church service on Sunday, Gachagua said his stay in the US will give him the space he needs to make important political decisions away from the influence of those around him.
“I will stay for a while and for important reasons. There are things that I have to organise, which cannot be done here,” he said.
Using a Kikuyu proverb, Gachagua said some decisions require a place that is so isolated and quiet that even the usual signs of life — including flies — cannot be found.
“When I am here, there is a lot of influence. John Kaguchia will tell me this, John Methu will tell me that and others. But I want to make some decisions without undue influence from the people I am walking with so that I make the right decisions,” Gachagua said.
The planned US trip, set for Wednesday, will come after the conclusion of his Wamunyoro retreat.
Before flying out, however, Gachagua will on Monday conclude his 58-day political conclave.
On the day, he is scheduled to meet delegations from Isiolo and Marsabit as well as representatives of the Gen Zs in his last round of consultations on his political direction.
After the engagements, Gachagua said he will hold a press conference at 3pm to brief Kenyans on the views he has received during the consultations and outline the way forward.
The announcement will come after nearly two months of meetings with political leaders, community representatives, professionals, young people and other groups at Wamunyoro.
The consultations have provided Gachagua with a platform to welcome more defectors and “listen to the ground” from different regions as he seeks to build DCP into a national political vehicle.
His decision to extend the consultations to the US shows that the next phase of his political calculations will extend beyond Kenya’s domestic political networks.
Gachagua consultations at Wamunyoro have focused on broadening his political base and understanding the concerns of different constituencies.
The former Deputy President was last in the United States in July and August 2025. He initially left Kenya on July 9 for a planned two-month tour but cut the trip short and returned on August 21 to participate in by-election campaigns.
This time, however, Gachagua has indicated that he intends to stay longer.
Gachagua accused President William Ruto of making “sustained efforts to divide the mountain” in order to survive in 2027.
“Here in Mt Kenya East, he has taken Kindiki and CS Ruku to remove Mt Kenya East from the mountain. Here in Mt Kenya West, he has brought some small parties, wheelbarrows, to deceive people and split the vote.
“But as he tries to split the mountain, we are expanding it. We have brought in Lower Eastern and Taita, which is now Mt Kenya South. Isiolo and Marsabit are now Mt Kenya North,” he added.
He also warned retired President Uhuru Kenyatta against any handshake with Ruto, saying he would carry the baggage of his failures.
He accused Ruto of persecuting Uhuru, and at the same time seeking his help.
“I have sent some elders to Uhuru not to do a handshake with Ruto because you will get into trouble,” Gachagua said.
