Gachagua attempted to escape arrest amid clashes between DCI officers and his supporters, reports
The government was keen to make good on the threat of arresting Rigathi Gachagua as soon as he landed at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
This is according to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader’s allies, who welcomed him during his return from the United States on Thursday, August 21.
Hundreds of supporters thronged the international arrivals terminal, nearly overwhelming his security detail and other leaders who had gathered to receive him.
In widely circulated clips, Gachagua, donning a trademark cowboy hat, was seen struggling to make his way through a sea of cheering supporters eager to catch a glimpse of him.
Another video captured a large mass of youths moving in droves around the airport, sparking questions online about their intentions.
Despite the commotion, Gachagua eventually made it to his vehicle and popped out of the sunroof to wave at the ecstatic crowds.
The return of President William Ruto’s fiercest critic comes after a 43-day tour of the U.S., where he held engagements with the Kenyan diaspora while popularizing his new political vehicle, the Democratic Change Party (DCP).
His homecoming had been highly publicized, with many linking it to the upcoming by-elections in which DCP has fielded candidates.
DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala had earlier urged supporters to flock to JKIA, framing the reception as more than a mere welcome.
“This is not just a welcome—it is a statement to the world that Kenya belongs to her people,” Malala declared, while warning the government against any attempt to arrest Gachagua upon arrival.
The calls drew a sharp response from the State.
Speaking in Murang’a during the Jukwaa la Usalama forum, Interior Cabinet Secretary, flanked by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, dismissed the hype around Gachagua’s landing.
“There are so many people landing in Kenya every day, so I don’t know why we should be worried when one person is landing,” the CS remarked.
He, however, warned Gachagua and his allies against fanning tensions through inflammatory remarks.
“For the time he has been away, the country has been relatively peaceful,” the CS said, assuring that security agencies are on standby to deal with any disruptions.
Gachagua’s return is set to test the delicate balance between his growing political movement and the government’s resolve to contain dissent ahead of looming electoral contests.
