Rigathi Gachagua secretly returns to his Wamunyoro residence after weeks in US

• Rigathi Gachagua returned to his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri after departing Kenya for the US on August 26, 2026
• The former deputy president spent approximately 50 days in the US, holding engagements with Kenyan diaspora communities across several states
• Gachagua's return drew attention partly because of violent chaos that erupted when he arrived back from a previous US visit in August 2025

Nancy Odindo is a Current Affairs Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering political and world news. Odindo has over six years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2023.

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has returned to Kenya and arrived at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, ending a roughly 50-day tour of the United States during which he engaged Kenyan diaspora communities and continued to criticise the government of President William Ruto.

Gachagua left Kenya on August 26, 2026, accompanied by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi. His itinerary detailed stops in Spokane (Washington), Portland (Oregon), Kansas, Dallas (Texas), and Boston (Massachusetts), spanning the better part of two months.

Unlike his previous return from the US, Gachagua came back this time without publicly announcing his arrival date, going straight to his Nyeri home rather than staging any public reception. It is not clear when he landed in Nairobi.

Contrast with 2025 return

The low-key nature of this return stands in sharp contrast to what unfolded in August 2025, when Gachagua's first return from the US following his October 2024 impeachment descended into chaos.

On that occasion, hundreds of supporters converged on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to welcome him, with chants of "Wantam," filling the air outside the terminal.

Supporters overwhelmed officers and blocked an international arrivals gate, disrupting normal airport operations and surprising arriving tourists.

As his convoy left JKIA and moved along one of Nairobi's main highways, groups of young men and motorbike riders hurled stones at his motorcade.

Police deployed tear gas in an attempt to restore order, and a rally Gachagua had planned at Kamukunji in Nairobi had to be abandoned entirely amid the violence.

His return this October drew no comparable scenes. The DCP leader arrived in Nyeri without fanfare, with no large crowd gathered at the airport and no public announcement preceding his touchdown.

Kabando wa Kabando welcomes Gachagua back

Meanwhile, Nyeri senator aspirant Kabando wa Kabando was among those who publicly acknowledged Gachagua's homecoming, posting a message that gave the former deputy president a political update on the situation in Kenya.

Kabando, a former MP, told Gachagua that during his US trip, Kenyans reportedly missed his injections against Ruto. Additionally, Senator Edwin Sifuna blasted the head of state, and Gen Zs vowed to limit him to a single term.

He urged that Gachagua's truthfulness inspire opposition ranks to achieve insurmountable unity ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Source: TUKO.co.ke