Gachagua touches down in Kansas City in latest push for US Diaspora support

• The reception marks another phase of Gachagua’s extended diaspora engagements, which have taken him through different US states as he interacts with Kenyans living and working abroad.

A file photo of DCP party leader, Rigathi Gachagua.

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has arrived in Kansas City, Missouri, the third city on his ongoing United States tour, where he is set to engage Kenyans living in the state.

Gachagua, accompanied by his spouse, Rev. Dorcas Rigathi, arrived in the city on Friday, September 18, 2026, where he received a warm welcome from Kenyans gathered to receive him.

The reception took a cultural turn as members of the Kenyan community sang Kikuyu songs to welcome the former Deputy President.

The reception marks another phase of Gachagua’s extended diaspora engagements, which have taken him through different US states as he interacts with Kenyans living and working abroad.

Kansas City comes after Spokane, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, where Gachagua held meetings with Kenyan communities.

According to his published itinerary, Gachagua was scheduled to engage Kenyans in Spokane from September 4 to 10 before moving to Portland for engagements running from September 10 to 16. Kansas was listed as the next stop from September 16 to 24.

In Spokane, Gachagua said his engagements would focus on listening to Kenyans abroad, discussing challenges facing the country and exploring ways the diaspora could contribute to Kenya’s development.

His Spokane meetings also featured community gatherings, with reports documenting a warm reception from Kenyans living in the city.

Gachagua later travelled to Portland, where he continued his interactions with Kenyans in Oregon.

On September 11, he addressed members of the Kenyan community in Portland, describing the interactions as part of continued discussions with Kenyans living in the US.

In a message following his arrival, Gachagua said the reception he has received from Kenyans during the tour had left him encouraged, particularly by their determination to remain connected to their country.

"The love and warmth I have received since beginning this tour are truly immeasurable,” Gachagua said.

He added that the commitment shown by Kenyans abroad had inspired him, describing their ability to remain engaged with Kenya despite living overseas as a reflection of their resilience.

“I am inspired by the courage and unwavering commitment of Kenyans to keep the fire burning, no matter where they are in the world,” he said.

The DCP leader was accompanied by Dorcas during the Oregon engagements, including a golf tournament with members of the Kenyan community in Portland.

The itinerary indicates that Gachagua is scheduled to be in Kansas until September 24, followed by Dallas from September 24 to October 1 and Boston from October 1 to 9.

Kansas City becomes another stop in Gachagua’s ongoing US engagements, which have brought him into contact with Kenyan communities across several American states.

The engagements have included meetings with diaspora groups and discussions around their role in Kenya’s political and economic affairs.

Gachagua has previously said his US tour is intended to strengthen ties with Kenyans abroad and create platforms through which the diaspora can participate in discussions on Kenya’s future.