DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged tourists and investors to stay away from Kenya, citing what he described as a sharp rise in insecurity and lawlessness across the country.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service at the ACK St. Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga Central Constituency, Gachagua claimed that the country was no longer safe for visitors or business ventures, warning that “too many goons” now roam the streets unchecked.
“This country is not safe anymore. Tourists are not safe, and investors are not safe either,” Gachagua said.
“There are too many goons out there. I advise our friends abroad to hold off their visits and investments until next year when things will hopefully stabilize.
The former Deputy President’s remarks came just days after his Democracy for Citizens Party clinched victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, a win he described as a resounding statement from the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua used the occasion to renew his attacks on President William Ruto, declaring that the 2027 General Election would be a straight contest between the President and the Mt Kenya community.
“Ol Kalou has spoken for the entire mountain. They have defended the dignity of our people,” he said, thanking residents for what he termed as a courageous stand against state intimidation.
“Despite the billions poured into that by-election, our people stood firm.”
Gachagua alleged that President Ruto’s administration had launched development projects worth KSh 1.4 billion in the constituency during the campaign period, but claimed that KSh 1.2 billion of that amount was used to sway voters.
“They came with 1.4 billion shillings in the name of development, but 1.2 billion went into buying votes,” he alleged.
“One woman even told me she received 90,000 shillings in campaign handouts. That is how desperate they were.”
The DCP leader’s remarks are likely to stir fresh political tension between him and the President, as well as raise concerns within the tourism and investment sectors already grappling with economic uncertainty.
Gachagua maintained that his party’s victory in Ol Kalou marked the beginning of a political realignment in the Mt Kenya region, insisting that the region would no longer be “junior partners” in national politics
