Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has announced plans to travel to the United States with his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, for an extended stay as he weighs political decisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua made the announcement on Sunday while addressing worshippers at PEFA Church in Karatina, Nyeri County, saying he needed to leave Kenya to make political decisions away from local pressure.
“On Wednesday this week, my wife and I will travel to the United States to plan for the mountain’s future. I want to go there and interact with the whites and fellow blacks for a while,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President indicated that the trip would last for some time, insisting that remaining in Kenya could expose him to undue political influence as he charts the region’s future.
“On Wednesday, nishike bibi yangu mkono niingie ndege niende Amerikani nizunguke huko na nitakaa kwa muda… I’ll stay for a while because I have issues planning, and I cannot plan them here,” he said.
“I want to make some decisions without undue influence so that I make the right decisions,” he added.
Gachagua said his planned stay would provide an opportunity to reflect on the political direction of Mt Kenya and make decisions without the competing pressures associated with local politics.
His announcement comes as he prepares to conclude the Wamunyoro consultations on Monday, August 24, after weeks of engagements with supporters and political stakeholders.
He is expected to address the media at about 3pm on Monday, when he will outline the outcome of the consultations and the next phase of his political strategy.
The DCP leader has increasingly positioned himself as a key figure in efforts to shape the opposition’s approach to the 2027 presidential contest, while seeking to consolidate support within Mt Kenya and build alliances beyond the region.
His latest US trip is also expected to provide an opportunity to engage Kenyans in the diaspora and strengthen DCP structures abroad.
Gachagua’s decision to travel with his wife comes as he prepares to temporarily step away from Kenya’s increasingly active political scene.
He has, however, urged his political allies and supporters to sustain grassroots mobilisation while he undertakes what he described as an important period of planning.
The trip could therefore offer a glimpse into Gachagua’s next political move as he seeks to determine the Mountain’s position and broader opposition alliances ahead of the 2027 polls.
