Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is set to take his anti-government campaign to the United Kingdom after dispatching an advance team to London ahead of a planned meeting with Kenyans living in the diaspora.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Gachagua said Nyandarua Senator John Methu, former Kieni MP Kanini Kega and benga musician Samuel Muchoki, popularly known as Samidoh, had travelled to London to prepare for his visit and coordinate meetings with the Kenyan community in the UK.
“This evening, I have dispatched Senator John Methu, Hon. Kanini Keega and benga maestro Samuel Muchoki alias Samidoh to London ahead of my visit,” Gachagua said.
“They will prepare and coordinate my visit to the United Kingdom shortly with our diaspora community in London.”
The former deputy president said his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) intends to incorporate views from Kenyans abroad into its political agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Our party, DCP PARTY, remains firmly committed to engaging the diaspora community as part of the broad stakeholders and Kenyans; their views, as espoused in our philosophy, will inform our blueprint ahead of August 10th 2027 General Elections,” he said.
Sources close to Gachagua’s camp say the London meetings will largely focus on his criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, which he has repeatedly accused of betrayal, economic mismanagement and political intimidation.
Since his impeachment in October 2024, Gachagua has launched sustained attacks against the Kenya Kwanza government, accusing it of abandoning ordinary Kenyans through high taxes, the rising cost of living and what he terms targeted political persecution of leaders from the Mt Kenya region.
He has claimed the government sidelined the region despite its overwhelming support for President Ruto during the 2022 elections. Gachagua has also criticised the removal of allies from influential parliamentary committees, investigations targeting some leaders and what he describes as attempts to weaken Mt Kenya’s political influence.
The former deputy president has promised to rally opposition leaders into a united political movement capable of defeating Ruto in 2027. He has vowed to “liberate the country from bad governance,” restore what he calls respect for citizens and revive the economy by reducing taxation and empowering businesses.
Gachagua has further promised to defend constitutionalism, end enforced disappearances and abductions, and protect young people whom he says have suffered under economic hardship and police crackdowns during anti-government protests.
His London tour is expected to give him an international platform to directly address Kenyans abroad, many of whom have been vocal online over the state of the economy and governance in Kenya.
The inclusion of Samidoh in the delegation has also drawn attention due to the musician’s strong following among Kenyans in the diaspora and his perceived closeness to the former deputy president.
Political analysts view the UK trip as part of Gachagua’s broader strategy to consolidate support locally and abroad as early political alignments for the 2027 presidential race continue taking shape.
