Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was conspicuously absent in Kakamega on Friday, leaving hundreds of supporters stranded and sparking a fresh political firestorm between his camp and the state.

The Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP) leader alleges the Kenya Kwanza administration deliberately denied his helicopter clearance to take off from Nairobi, a move his allies are describing as state-sponsored intimidation designed to curtail his movement.

Political Sabotage Allegations

Gachagua had been scheduled to preside over a thanksgiving ceremony in Kisa East, honoring Aduda Okwiri, who secured the ward’s MCA seat on a DCP ticket during the November 27 by-election. The victory was seen as a significant foothold for Gachagua’s new outfit in a region traditionally dominated by established coalitions.

However, as supporters waited for hours in the sweltering heat, word arrived that the party leader would not be landing. DCP officials on the ground wasted no time pointing fingers at the Presidency.

• The Claim: Party insiders allege that aviation authorities were instructed to deny flight clearance at the last minute.
• The Quote: Sources close to Gachagua were quoted claiming, “Ruto aliamrisha” (Ruto ordered it), directly implicating President William Ruto in the standoff.
• The Impact: The cancellation dampened what was billed as a major show of force for the DCP in Western Kenya.

Battle for the Mulembe Nation

This incident occurs against a backdrop of shifting alliances in the Western region. The political temperature in Kakamega is already high following the recent de-whipping of Senator Boni Khalwale, signaling a scramble for control within the Mulembe nation.

For the common mwananchi in Kisa East, the political drama overshadows a moment of local celebration. The blocking of a political leader—if proven true—raises serious questions about the freedom of assembly and the use of state machinery to settle political scores.

While the government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the flight clearance, the message from the Gachagua camp is clear: they believe the state is jittery about their encroaching influence. As the dust settles, the question remains whether these hurdles will stifle the DCP's momentum or galvanize their support base further.