Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says unnamed individuals close to President William Ruto are plotting to prevent him from traveling to the United States.
On Wednesday, July 9, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) claimed that his associates had received phone calls earlier in the day warning him against leaving the country.
“I have been threatened by people close to William Ruto who called some of my people today. They said they would stop me from leaving the country,” Gachagua stated.
Undeterred, Gachagua assured that he would proceed with the trip as planned. He is expected to begin a two-month tour across the United States to engage Kenyans in the diaspora.
“Tonight, I will be travelling to the United States of America to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora about the state of the nation,” he explained. “I would have wanted to stay in the country at this very difficult time, when our people are under siege. But I have engagements that I am not able to postpone.”
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He dared those behind the threats to act, saying he would not be intimidated from seeking help for the country.
“I have no problem. If you want to come and arrest me at the airport as you are threatening us, you can go ahead. You cannot sell fear to us.”
As Gachagua explained, the U.S. trip aims to reconnect with Kenyans who left the country years ago and encourage them to reinvest back home.
Gachagua further promised that in his absence, he had organized a few opposition leaders to bring together lawyers who would assist those accused of various crimes stemming from the youth-led protests.
“I have made arrangements with leaders in the opposition to create a pool of lawyers to come in for our young people who are being prosecuted for trumped-up charges,” he affirmed.