Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua landed in Seattle, Washington, USA on Thursday, July 10, 2025, marking the start of his much-publicised two-month tour of the United States.

He was warmly welcomed at SeaTac International Airport by members of the Kenyan diaspora, alongside his wife, Dorcas Gachagua, who is accompanying him throughout the visit. Upon arrival, Gachagua expressed gratitude for the warm reception.

“Let me thank you, good people, for the warm welcome,” he told the crowd gathered at the airport.

His wife Dorcas also shared heartfelt words, highlighting their deep connection to the Kenyan community in Seattle.

“Thanks, people of Seattle, for welcoming us. We were here the other day, and you welcomed us. We are already feeling at home, from home. Thank you for the many hours you had to wait. We thank everyone.”

The pair are set to kick off their programme with a breakfast meeting in Seattle, followed by town halls and engagements in Dallas, California, Boston, and Baltimore. When prompted by an interviewer about the event, Gachagua said:

“Thank you. Let me take this opportunity to welcome everyone who will be engaging us tomorrow and the day after, when we have ngemi (celebration). I’m looking forward to seeing our people. I’m missing them. I love them, and I can’t wait to start engaging with them, to catch up, to find out how they’ve been, how their lives have been, and also to tell them how things are back home. We are looking forward.”

The tour takes place at a politically tense time in Kenya. Just hours before his flight, Gachagua held a press conference in Nairobi, claiming that individuals close to President William Ruto had tried to block his departure and threatened arrest at the airport.

This marks Gachagua’s first foreign trip since his October 2024 impeachment, and he has stated that the tour is aimed at engaging the diaspora on the “state of the nation” and rallying support for reform ahead of the 2027 General Election.