Nairobi, August 21, 2025 – Former Deputy President and Democratic for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday to a rapturous welcome from thousands of supporters after a six-week stay in the United States.
Gachagua’s arrival, which came shortly after noon, sparked a massive procession that wound its way from JKIA toward the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) before heading to Kamukunji grounds, where he is scheduled to address a major political rally.
Despite heavy police deployment along Mombasa Road and within the CBD, jubilant supporters—predominantly youth—lined the streets with DCP-colored banners emblazoned with messages such as “Welcome Home Mfalme.”
The former Deputy President took time to wave and interact with the crowd before joining the convoy, which included DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangw’a.
The atmosphere was electric, with chants of “Wantam!”—Gachagua’s popular slogan interpreted to mean “One Term” in reference to President William Ruto’s tenure—echoing through the streets. At one point, Malala was seen atop his vehicle singing along to a “Wantam” anthem with the crowd.
While the procession was largely peaceful, reports indicated some scuffles along sections of the route where rowdy youths pelted stones at the motorcade, forcing police to briefly intervene.
Transport around the CBD slowed to a crawl as the procession made stopovers ahead of the highly anticipated rally at Kamukunji grounds, a venue historically associated with Kenya’s pro-democracy struggles.
Gachagua’s return comes at a time of heightened political tensions within the ruling coalition, with analysts predicting his Kamukunji speech could set the tone for the next phase of his political battle against President Ruto.
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