The prolonged visit of DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua to the US will test the strength of other opposition chiefs, with the focus on whether they will sustain the campaign momentum.
Gachagua has been the key engine of the opposition’s mobilisation, spearheading rallies and leading attacks on President William Ruto’s administration.
The former Deputy President left the country on Wednesday for the US, where he will stay for almost two months.
He is expected back in the country in October.
His prolonged foreign trip therefore leaves a temporary vacuum that opposition figures will be expected to fill, particularly Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i.
The two are the main frontrunners in the united opposition, which also has Justin Muturi (DP), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) and Peter Munya (PNU).
Kalonzo, who has positioned himself as one of the leading figures in the opposition camp, has repeatedly come under pressure over claims he has not done enough to match Gachagua’s political activities on the ground.
The Wiper leader has, however, moved to step up his engagements, announcing an itinerary that will see him traverse three counties beginning Friday.
This is viewed as an attempt to demonstrate he can keep the opposition machinery active.
In a communication to the media, Wiper spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru said the former Vice President will tour Kajiado and Taita Taveta before concluding with Machakos.
“The Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) wishes to notify members of the press, party officials, and the general public of the weekend itinerary of the party leader, Kalonzo, as he continues his meet-the-people tour across the country,” Ndegwa said.
“He is expected in Emali at noon, followed by Kimana at 2.30pm, and Oloitoktok at 3.30pm. He will then cross into Taita Taveta for an engagement in Njukini at 4.30pm.”
According to Makueni MP Dan Maanzo, the Wiper boss will address a rally in Emali in his county on Friday on the way to Taita Taveta.
The former Vice President will spend Saturday traversing Taita Taveta, where he will address supporters in Eldoro, Taveta and Voi towns.
“On Sunday, the party leader will attend a church service at the Salvation Army Church in Tala, Machakos,” Ndegwa said.
Kalonzo’s renewed activity comes at a critical moment when opposition leaders are seeking to consolidate their support and present a united challenge to Ruto.
Matiang’i, another key figure in the opposition equation, is also expected to play a bigger role as the team seeks to maintain its nationwide visibility.
The former Interior CS has of late been on the campaign trail to popularise his bid, even as the opposition works on a formula to arrive at a joint ticket.
Last week, Matiang’i traversed Kiambu county after completing a three-day tour of Nyanza, where he visited Kuria East and Kuria West.
Political observers say Gachagua’s absence will provide a useful measure of whether the united opposition has developed a collective political machine or remains heavily dependent on individual personalities.
Gachagua said he plans to use the break to rest, meditate, pray, read and re-energise after what he described as a period of working “24-7 without resting”.
“I like to take 10 days to rest, meditate, pray, read and re-energise and spend some quality time with my wife. I have not had time; I have not had the opportunity to spend some quality time with her,” he said.
He will then visit several US cities during the trip, including Dallas, Kansas, Oregon and Boston, as well as other areas, to meet Kenyans living there.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) released Gachagua’s itinerary on August 25, indicating the tour will run for more than a month and cover five cities.
According to the itinerary, Gachagua will begin his engagements in Spokane, Washington, on September 4 and remain there until September 10.
He will then travel to Portland, Oregon, where he is scheduled to stay until September 16.
The DCP boss is scheduled to spend eight days in Kansas from September 16 to September 24 before travelling to Dallas, Texas, where he will stay until October 1.
His final stop will be Boston, Massachusetts, where he is scheduled to remain until October 9.
