Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected to make a major public return on Thursday with a grand procession from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Nairobi’s Kamukunji Grounds, where he will address a public rally.
According to Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, thousands of supporters are expected to gather at JKIA from 8am to welcome Gachagua back from his recent trip to the United States.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, August 18, Malala said that after landing, the former DP and his supporters will move in a peaceful convoy through the Nairobi Central Business District before converging at Kamukunji Grounds for a political rally.
Malala noted that the party has already informed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja about the planned events, urging the police to provide security and avoid any disruption.
“Last week we announced that our party leader will return to the nation on Thursday, and we want to confirm that his return is still as scheduled. We are calling on Kenyans to show up at JKIA to receive him, where we shall have a mother of all peaceful processions upon his arrival,” Malala said.
He added: “The procession will begin from JKIA to the Central Business District and later a public rally at Kamukunji Grounds. The police are hereby notified to provide security, and they should not dare disrupt the procession.”
Malala further alleged that there is a plot to divert Gachagua’s plane to either Moi International Airport in Mombasa or Kisumu International Airport in order to arrest him. He warned that supporters in those regions have been directed to keep watch and prevent any attempt to apprehend him.
“Any attempt to apprehend Gachagua once he lands in the country will be met by our supporters across the country. We have asked our supporters to be on standby,” he said.
In a Monday morning interview, Malala also warned that detaining Gachagua could trigger widespread protests that may even disrupt the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).
DCP Petitions UN to Block Ruto from Addressing UNGA
The party has also repeated its call for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to deny President William Ruto a chance to speak during the upcoming 80th session in New York.
Malala questioned what President Ruto intends to address under the theme “Better Together: 80 Years and More Peace, Development and Human Rights,” arguing that the Kenyan leader has allegedly violated the same principles.
“Under his watch, Kenya has witnessed brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrations: young Kenyans exercising their constitutional right to protest have been met with live bullets, unlawful detentions, and state-sponsored abductions,” Malala said in a statement.
He added that journalists and activists continue to face harassment while innocent citizens have died at the hands of security forces with no accountability.
The DCP called on the UN to reconsider allowing President Ruto to speak, arguing that doing so would legitimize tyranny and betray Kenyan citizens who are demanding justice and accountability.
They further urged the United States, which is hosting the assembly, to consider declaring President Ruto persona non grata, citing international precedent against leaders accused of human rights abuses.
The party insisted that giving the President a platform at the global forum would send the wrong message to victims of brutality and undermine democratic values.