Gachagua Cuts UK Tour Short Amid Fuel Crisis Fears and Threat of Street Protests
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has flown out to the United Kingdom after dramatically slashing a planned month-long political tour to less than a week, saying he could not remain abroad while Kenyans grapple with rising fuel prices and mounting transport costs.
Speaking to journalists at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before departure, Gachagua said the worsening economic situation had forced him to reconsider his travel plans, insisting he had a “civic duty” to return quickly and join opposition leaders in responding to what he described as growing public distress.
“I was supposed to go for one month in the United Kingdom for a series of activities, but I have moved. I have no other way. I have to cut short. I will not be long. I will take five to six days,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President, who has recently intensified opposition mobilisation activities through his Democratic Change Party (DCP), said the escalating cost of transport and fears over higher fuel prices had created what he termed a “crisis situation” for ordinary Kenyans.
“I must come back, because we cannot leave the country when the people of Kenya are in trouble, when the people of Kenya are struggling, when people of Kenya cannot move, when prices of fare is going to be hiked,” he stated.
“I must be able to come and do what I need to do. It is my civic duty to be able to fight for the people of Kenya.”
Gachagua revealed that the UK trip had initially been designed as an extended diaspora mobilisation campaign aimed at marketing the DCP and strengthening political networks abroad ahead of future political contests.
However, he said the worsening economic climate at home had made it impossible for him to stay away for long.
“Much as I would have wanted to go to the UK to market my party, the DCP, to be able to have party activities and other things that had lined up, I’ll only be able to do it for a week, and then I’ll have to come back, so that I join my colleagues, so that we consult the people of Kenya, and we decide what to do,” he said.
In some of his strongest remarks yet, Gachagua also hinted at possible nationwide demonstrations and coordinated action with the transport sector if the government fails to address the concerns over fuel and fare increases.
“If we have to take to the streets, so be it. We have to say, let the transport sector stop until these matters are addressed,” he warned.
“I have discussed with my colleagues, and we are saying this situation cannot be allowed to happen.”
The former Deputy President further disclosed that key opposition figures would hold a virtual strategy meeting on Saturday after attempts to convene physically were disrupted by various engagements.
According to Gachagua, opposition leaders including Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa were unavailable for a physical meeting due to funeral and political commitments across the country.
“Fred Matiang’i and Kalonzo Musyoka were away in Kisii for a funeral, Eugene Wamalwa was away in Kakamega for a petition because of the Malaba by-election, and since I’m leaving, we could not be able to have a meeting,” he explained.
“We have agreed we’ll have a Zoom meeting tomorrow, so that we can agree on the way forward.”
The opposition leaders are expected to deliberate on the rising cost of fuel, disruptions in the transport sector, and possible coordinated political responses — including support for a planned nationwide matatu industry strike expected on Monday.
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