GACHAGUA CUTS SHORT US VISIT AMID PENDING GOVERNMENT SUMMONS

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ended his month-long visit to the United States earlier than planned, citing preparations for upcoming by-elections in which his party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), will field candidates.

Gachagua, who had been in the US since July 10, said on Thursday that he regretted cancelling remaining engagements with Kenyan diaspora groups and pledged to reschedule the meetings to early next year.

“I need to return home to join our party in preparing for the by-elections,” he said, adding that his itinerary upon return would be made public.

The announcement comes days after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that Gachagua would be required to record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) regarding remarks he made alleging a meeting between President William Ruto and the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Murkomen said the DCI would seek details from Gachagua on the claims, which the government views as serious.

Gachagua has maintained that he will not cooperate with the investigation, arguing that no probe has been initiated against the president over the matter.

The former deputy president did not directly address whether the summons influenced his decision to cut short the trip.