Gachagua Urges Tourists and Investors to Suspend Kenya Visits Over Security Concerns
KERUGOYA, Kenya — Former Deputy President and leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Rigathi Gachagua, has sparked intense political debate after calling on international tourists and foreign investors to delay their trips to Kenya until next year.
Citing a steep rise in national insecurity, lawlessness, and alleged state-sponsored violence, Gachagua warned that the country is fast sliding toward anarchy.
Speaking on Sunday, July 19, 2026, during a highly charged church service at the ACK St. Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration of completely failing to protect its citizens and foreign nationals.
“Because we do not want to destroy tourism in this country, I want to call upon tourists to suspend their visit to Kenya until next year,” Gachagua stated, adding that visitors should hold off until after the 2027 General Election when the nation’s political and security landscape is expected to stabilize.
The DCP leader expanded his warning to the business community, claiming that foreign enterprises have already fallen victim to unchecked crime. He referenced a recent incident on Nairobi’s Ngong Road where he claimed Chinese investors were targeted and robbed by armed gangs. “Between now and the next election, foreign investors should stay away from this country,” he urged.
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Gachagua’s fiery remarks heavily targeted law enforcement accountability, highlighting a controversial incident during the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. Viral videos from the mini-poll captured hooded men riding in SUVs openly firing weapons, an incident linked to the deaths of two individuals.
“Those policemen who killed two people in Ol Kalou, where do we report them? Do we report police to police?” Gachagua questioned, arguing that victims cannot be expected to trust the very institutions accused of committing the abuses. He went on to squarely blame the electorate who voted for the current administration in 2022, calling on them to mobilize politically to demand change at the ballot box.
The former Deputy President’s statements come at a delicate time for Kenya’s hospitality and investment sectors. The country relies heavily on international tourism as a primary economic driver and a source of thousands of local jobs.
The sector is already facing friction following recent travel advisory updates from western nations, including Canada, which warned its citizens against traveling to several high-risk border regions and flagged caution in specific Nairobi neighborhoods.
While the government has previously maintained that Kenya remains open and safe for global trade and travel, Gachagua’s direct appeal for an international boycott marks a dramatic escalation in opposition rhetoric.
Observers warn that such statements, coming from a high-profile political figure, could severely dent investor confidence and trigger cancellations in the peak tourism season, dealing a heavy blow to the recovering economy.
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