Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua is continuing his extended tour of the United States, where he has been engaging Kenyans living in the diaspora as he builds his political network ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua left Kenya on August 26, 2026, for an extended US visit accompanied by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi. The tour, according to an itinerary released by DCP, is expected to run for roughly 50 days and cover five major US destinations.
Where has Gachagua visited so far?
As of September 16, 2026, Gachagua has publicly undertaken engagements in the following areas:
1. Spokane, Washington
Spokane was the first major stop on Gachagua's scheduled public diaspora programme. He engaged members of the Kenyan community, discussing Kenya's political and economic situation and the country's future.
Before leaving Spokane, Gachagua said he had received a warm farewell from Kenyans he had interacted with during his stay.
Reports also showed Gachagua and his wife spending time in the Washington State area, including a visit to Seattle before his formal Spokane engagements.
2. Portland, Oregon
Gachagua subsequently travelled to Portland, where his diaspora programme entered another phase.
On September 10, he announced his arrival in Portland and said he would continue discussions with Kenyans living in the United States.
During his Portland engagements, he addressed Kenyan community members, attended an interdenominational fellowship and later participated in the launch of the DCP Oregon Chapter.
He has also engaged Kenyans through social and community activities, including a golf event in Oregon.
What has Gachagua been telling Kenyans in the US?
A significant part of the tour has focused on the concerns of Kenyans living abroad and their relationship with Kenya.
During his Portland engagements, Gachagua said he had heard concerns from diaspora Kenyans about the country's governance and economic situation. He has also spoken about the need for a different approach to government and promised what he described as a "good plan" for Kenyans abroad and those living in Kenya.
He has also raised issues affecting Kenyans in the diaspora, including taxation. In one recent engagement, Gachagua pledged to address double taxation affecting Kenyans abroad if his political side gains an opportunity to shape the next government.
What comes next?
According to the itinerary released before his departure, Gachagua's next scheduled stop after Portland is Kansas, where engagements are planned from September 16 to September 24.
He is then scheduled to proceed to Dallas, Texas, from September 24 to October 1, followed by Boston, Massachusetts, from October 1 to October 9.
Destination Scheduled period Status as of Sept. 16Spokane, Washington Sept. 4–10 VisitedPortland, Oregon Sept. 10–16 Visited / concluding phaseKansas Sept. 16–24 Next scheduled stopDallas, Texas Sept. 24–Oct. 1 UpcomingBoston, Massachusetts Oct. 1–9 Final scheduled stop
The tour comes at a time when Kenyan politicians and prospective presidential contenders are increasingly engaging the Kenyan diaspora ahead of the 2027 General Election. Recent reporting has highlighted the growing political importance of Kenyans living abroad, including their potential role in political mobilisation and campaign fundraising.
A political tour with 2027 in view
Although Gachagua's trip has included family and community activities, his public engagements have increasingly centred on political mobilisation and his plans for the 2027 elections. The DCP itinerary was presented as part of the party's broader effort to engage Kenyans abroad and develop its political roadmap.
With the former Deputy President expected to continue travelling through Kansas, Texas and Massachusetts, attention will remain on the messages he delivers to diaspora Kenyans, the networks established during the tour and how his overseas engagements translate into political activity in Kenya.
Opinion Polls Kenya will continue tracking Gachagua's US tour, including his upcoming stops, diaspora meetings, key political statements and developments surrounding the 2027 General Election.
Reporting status: This article reflects information publicly reported and available as of September 16, 2026. The scheduled itinerary may change.
Gachagua left Kenya on August 26, 2026, for an extended US visit accompanied by his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi. The tour, according to an itinerary released by DCP, is expected to run for roughly 50 days and cover five major US destinations.
Where has Gachagua visited so far?
As of September 16, 2026, Gachagua has publicly undertaken engagements in the following areas:
1. Spokane, Washington
Spokane was the first major stop on Gachagua's scheduled public diaspora programme. He engaged members of the Kenyan community, discussing Kenya's political and economic situation and the country's future.
Before leaving Spokane, Gachagua said he had received a warm farewell from Kenyans he had interacted with during his stay.
Reports also showed Gachagua and his wife spending time in the Washington State area, including a visit to Seattle before his formal Spokane engagements.
2. Portland, Oregon
Gachagua subsequently travelled to Portland, where his diaspora programme entered another phase.
On September 10, he announced his arrival in Portland and said he would continue discussions with Kenyans living in the United States.
During his Portland engagements, he addressed Kenyan community members, attended an interdenominational fellowship and later participated in the launch of the DCP Oregon Chapter.
He has also engaged Kenyans through social and community activities, including a golf event in Oregon.
What has Gachagua been telling Kenyans in the US?
A significant part of the tour has focused on the concerns of Kenyans living abroad and their relationship with Kenya.
During his Portland engagements, Gachagua said he had heard concerns from diaspora Kenyans about the country's governance and economic situation. He has also spoken about the need for a different approach to government and promised what he described as a "good plan" for Kenyans abroad and those living in Kenya.
He has also raised issues affecting Kenyans in the diaspora, including taxation. In one recent engagement, Gachagua pledged to address double taxation affecting Kenyans abroad if his political side gains an opportunity to shape the next government.
What comes next?
According to the itinerary released before his departure, Gachagua's next scheduled stop after Portland is Kansas, where engagements are planned from September 16 to September 24.
He is then scheduled to proceed to Dallas, Texas, from September 24 to October 1, followed by Boston, Massachusetts, from October 1 to October 9.
Destination Scheduled period Status as of Sept. 16Spokane, Washington Sept. 4–10 VisitedPortland, Oregon Sept. 10–16 Visited / concluding phaseKansas Sept. 16–24 Next scheduled stopDallas, Texas Sept. 24–Oct. 1 UpcomingBoston, Massachusetts Oct. 1–9 Final scheduled stop
The tour comes at a time when Kenyan politicians and prospective presidential contenders are increasingly engaging the Kenyan diaspora ahead of the 2027 General Election. Recent reporting has highlighted the growing political importance of Kenyans living abroad, including their potential role in political mobilisation and campaign fundraising.
A political tour with 2027 in view
Although Gachagua's trip has included family and community activities, his public engagements have increasingly centred on political mobilisation and his plans for the 2027 elections. The DCP itinerary was presented as part of the party's broader effort to engage Kenyans abroad and develop its political roadmap.
With the former Deputy President expected to continue travelling through Kansas, Texas and Massachusetts, attention will remain on the messages he delivers to diaspora Kenyans, the networks established during the tour and how his overseas engagements translate into political activity in Kenya.
Opinion Polls Kenya will continue tracking Gachagua's US tour, including his upcoming stops, diaspora meetings, key political statements and developments surrounding the 2027 General Election.
Reporting status: This article reflects information publicly reported and available as of September 16, 2026. The scheduled itinerary may change.
