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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked widespread discussion across the political landscape following the release of video footage showing him at a shooting range in Spokane, Washington.
The former second in command and the Democracy for Citizens Party Leader is known for being controversial. What bothered Kenyans is what he was training in the United States of America.
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader, currently on an extended tour across several American states, was recorded handling a firearm and aiming at targets.
While public speculation quickly linked the appearance to serious tactical preparation, official accounts and event details indicate the outing was a recreational activity undertaken during a break from his schedule.
The footage has drawn attention in light of Gachagua’s public service history. Records show he completed paramilitary training at the Administration Police Institute in 1990 before serving in various administrative capacities within the government.
Observers noted that his background as a former administrative officer made the target practice session familiar, though analysts emphasize that the activity forms part of his personal time while abroad rather than specialized tactical instruction.
The timing of the visit comes as Gachagua undertakes a multi-week journey through the United States, with planned stops in Oregon, Texas, Kansas, and Massachusetts. Before departing Nairobi, he stated that the trip was intended to provide rest, enable quality time with his family, and offer an opportunity to make strategic decisions regarding his political future away from daily pressures.
Politically, the tour serves as a foundation for organizing his party and connecting with the Kenyan diaspora ahead of future electoral contests. Rather than preparing for immediate security maneuvers, Gachagua appears focused on restructuring his political alignment, engaging supporters abroad, and unwinding during his time in the United States.
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