Rigathi Gachagua mulls over attending Mashujaa Day celebrations in Rift Valley

Rigathi Gachagua Mulls Attending Mashujaa Day Celebrations in Rift Valley

Rigathi Gachagua says he’s weighing whether to attend Mashujaa Day in Eldoret, even as he accuses CS Kipchumba Murkomen of sabotaging his political tours

His possible appearance at the October 20 fete could test both his resilience and the shifting alliances ahead of 2027

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Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has said he is weighing whether to attend this year's Mashujaa Day celebrations in the Rift Valley, even as he accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of frustrating his political meetings across the country.

President William Ruto (l) with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua in a past event before their fallout. Photo: John Ochieng/SOPA. Source: Getty Images Speaking in an interview on Friday, 31 July, Gachagua said he has received a standing invitation to attend the national fete, which this year will be jointly hosted by Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nandi counties, all in the North Rift, with the main event set for Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret on 20 October.

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The former deputy president said he was still undecided on whether to make an appearance, citing what he described as increasing hostility directed at his political engagements, including in his own Mt Kenya backyard.

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The DCP leader's remarks come against the backdrop of a shifting hosting arrangement for this year's Mashujaa Day .

Murkomen had earlier announced that the celebrations would be held at Kamariny Stadium in Elgeyo Marakwet County , a long-delayed facility whose completion has been tied to a 2017 campaign pledge made during the Jubilee era.

However, President William Ruto later revised the arrangement after consultations with leaders from Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu and Nandi, settling on Eldoret City as the venue for the main ceremony, with the three counties co-hosting the celebrations under a rotating regional model that officials have described as historic.

Gachagua's comments suggest that, beyond the security concerns he has raised, his potential attendance at the Rift Valley festivities would also serve as a broader test of his political reception in a region seen as key to the country's shifting political alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.

He did not indicate when he expects to make a final decision on whether to attend, saying only that he was still analysing the invitation.

Kai Eli (Politics and current affairs editor)

Eli Kai is currently working with TUKO as a politics and current affairs editor. He has six years of experience in digital journalism. Eli joined Tuko.co.ke in 2021. Email: eli.odaga@tuko.co.ke