• The return of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua is expected to generate a political storm in the country
• Political analysts explained to TUKO.co.ke why it would be counterproductive for the police to block Gachagua’s political rallies
• Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) shared a programme of activities, including a major political rally to be addressed by Gachagua upon his arrival from the US

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi – Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua is expected back in the country on Thursday, August 21.

The former deputy president’s return is expected to generate political tension in the country, given that some Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders have been calling for his arrest.

Will Gachagua hold a rally at Kamukunji grounds?

Ahead of his coming, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala announced plans to accord Gachagua a heroic welcome.

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According to Malala, the party has mobilised 300,000 party supporters to welcome Gachagua at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he is expected to land at 12.00 pm.

After landing at JKIA, Gachagua is expected to make a procession to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) before heading to Kamukunji grounds for a mega political rally.

Some quarters have claimed that Gachagua’s team is trying to copy from the books of former prime minister Raila Odinga, who traditionally has been received with thousands of supporters at the airport.

Is Gachagua copying Raila Odinga?

However, public policy analyst Arnold Maliba disagrees with the thinking that Gachagua is attempting to copy Raila’s political tricks.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Maliba argued that homecoming fanfares, which culminate in processions, rallies, and press conferences where declarations are made, are quite a common phenomenon in Kenya and did not start with the ODM leader.

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He gave an example of the late president Jomo Kenyatta and Kenneth Matiba, both of whom were received with fanfare after their return to the country in 1946 and 1992.

“Since time immemorial, Kenyan politicians have organised events dubbed ‘homecoming’, especially after being elected, sworn in, appointed or having stayed away from home for a long period. In 1946, Jomo Kenyatta was received with fanfare in Mombasa after a long stay in Britain. Matiba would also be received with fanfare at the airport on his return from London, where he had been undergoing treatment in 1992.

“So, strictly speaking, it is not true that Gachagua is emulating Raila – because Raila is not the founder and proprietor of homecomings in Kenya – it’s as old as Jomo Kenyatta’s 1946 return.

Why blocking Gachagua’s homecoming party will be counterproductive

Maliba argues that politically motivated homecomings inevitably fail when the current government interferes.

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He urged President William Ruto’s administration to allow Gachagua’s team to proceed with their programmes, warning that attempts to block such rallies might give the former DP undue publicity.

“From experience, blocking such an event by the government is giving it traction and undue publicity. Rigathi is a Kenyan coming home from the US, so the government has no business interfering with what he does on his return, so long as it’s within the law,” the public policy expert said.

Maliba, who is the party leader of the Progress Plus Alliance, cautioned that blocking Gachagua would be the same as summoning masses back to the streets.

“There has been a lull in political activity countrywide. If you block Rigathi from holding his procession under whatever pretext, you will be summoning masses back to the streets in resistance. This administration should be none the wiser, even though wisdom is not their favourite cup of tea,” he stated.

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It should be noted that in November 2017, Raila’s return to Kenya was marked by violence. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces resulted in casualties, with reports of live ammunition being used against opposition supporters.

Why police should not bother with Gachagua’s return

Advice Mundalo, a communication and leadership consultant, agreed with Maliba’s sentiments that there is no need for the police to interfere with Gachagua’s procession.

“Gachagua is an ordinary Kenyan, and the government should treat him as such. His coming should be treated like the coming of all Kenyans who come back to the country every day,” Mundalo told TUKO.co.ke.

Mundalo, a former Jubilee Party Youth League chairperson, argued that police only need to ensure that Gachagua’s homecoming party does not interfere with the country’s normal functioning.

He argued that other people’s businesses should not be interfered with just because a political leader is arriving in the country.

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“Just as all other Kenyans coming back do not interfere with anything in the country, so should Gachagua’s coming be. It shouldn’t be overglorified, & DCP should not interfere with Kenyans on account of receiving their party leader. All Kenyans aren’t DCP members, & therefore their party should be restricted to DCP Headquarters with zero interference to motorists, businesses & normal functioning of the country,” the communication expert said.

Are police prepared for Rigathi Gachagua’s homecoming?

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that Gachagua’s return from the US poses a security threat.

Speaking in Murang’a county on Tuesday, August 19, Murkomen noted the country’s peaceful state during Gachagua’s absence and affirmed that security agencies are on high alert.

He added that the Ruto administration will not tolerate any disruptions related to Gachagua’s arrival.

Source: TUKO.co.ke