Rigathi Gachagua to Attend Harambee Stars vs Madagascar CHAN Clash at Kasarani
- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua will resurface in public for the first time since his return from the United States
- He will be at Kasarani Stadium during the Harambee Stars’ crucial quarter-final clash against Madagascar, an event that will attract thousands of fans
- His Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) announced his appearance in a statement on X, signalling a deliberate choice of venue
- The move comes only hours after he skipped a widely advertised Kamukunji rally, leaving many supporters questioning his political strategy
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is set to make his first official public appearance since returning from the US.
Source: Getty Images
This will be during the highly anticipated Harambee Stars quarter-final clash against Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) announced on Thursday, August 21, that their party leader would join thousands of fans at the continental fixture.
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"DCP Party Leader Hon Rigathi Gachagua to Attend the Harambee Stars vs Madagascar Quater Finals Match in Kasarani," the party said in a statement posted on X.
The announcement came only hours after Gachagua skipped a much-publicised rally at Kamukunji grounds, where his supporters had been anticipating his return speech.
When did Gachagua return to Kenya?
Gachagua landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday, August 21, to a rousing welcome.
Hundreds of supporters gathered at the arrivals terminal, chanting his name and waving banners with the slogan 'Wantam'.
Security teams were deployed heavily, escorting him through the crowd before his convoy set off towards Nairobi’s city centre.
His return, however, was surrounded by tension with DCP officials claiming that the government had planned to arrest him immediately after he landed.
Nyandarua senator John Methu alleged that at least 100 police officers were stationed at the airport to execute the arrest, but supporters shielded Gachagua and ensured he reached his convoy.
Source: Twitter
DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala backed the claims, saying the heavy deployment was evidence of a plan to silence their leader.
"We wanted to receive our party leader, but they deployed police officers. They planned to arrest him, but we said no. We want Ruto to respect human rights," said Malala.
Despite the day’s drama, supporters who had gathered at Kamukunji grounds were left disappointed after Gachagua skipped the planned rally.
His convoy headed straight into the city after the confrontation, leaving party officials to explain his absence.
Who attacked Gachagua's convoy?
As earlier reported, Gachagua's convoy that left JKIA faced a violent disruption near Imara Daima when a group of armed youths hurled stones at the motorcade.
The attack sparked chaos, with some of Gachagua’s supporters fleeing while others fought back.
Police intervened by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd, briefly paralysing traffic on the busy highway.
DCP leaders later accused Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja of hiring the goons to disrupt Gachagua’s procession, while Murang’a senator Joe Nyutu claimed that helicopters spotted in the air were coordinating the attackers.
Will Gachagua vie in 2027?
The former deputy president has announced his bid to contest for the presidential seat in the next general election.
Gachagua has styled himself as the best-placed candidate to unseat Ruto in 2027 and has asked his partners in the opposition to give him a chance.
Other opposition leaders eyeing the top seat include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K's Eugene Wamalwa, People Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, and former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i.
Constitutionally, Gachagua is unfit to contest for any elective seat following his impeachment as the second in command in October 2024.
However, the former Mathira lawmaker has insisted that he will be on the ballot as a presidential candidate in 2027. He argues that he hasn't exhausted all the legal remedies available to him and therefore he should be presumed innocent.
He intends to rely on the case of Sirisia MP John Waluke, who he argues was allowed to vie for the parliamentary seat in 2022 despite having been convicted and sentenced to 67 years in prison over corruption.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this story with details on whether Rigathi Gachagua will vie in 2027.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
