Rigathi Gachagua has left the country for the United Kingdom but says he will be back within days after cutting short a planned month-long political tour because of the rising cost of living in Kenya.
The fuel and transport crisis was getting worse, and I had to cut the trip short to less than a week, Gachagua told journalists at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before his departure.
The former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, said he had initially planned to spend a month in the UK meeting Kenyans in the diaspora and promoting his Democratic Change Party (DCP), but decided to return to Kenya early due to mounting economic pressure on ordinary citizens.
“I cannot sit when Kenyans are struggling with high transport costs and increasing cost of living,” Gachagua said.
He spoke days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a steep hike in fuel prices. The latest monthly review saw the price of diesel go up by Sh46.29 a litre while petrol went up by Sh16.65 a litre.
The fuel hike has already sparked protests by matatu operators who have announced plans to go on a nationwide strike and increase fares by 50% from Monday. The transport operators said the new fuel prices had made it too expensive to operate.
Gachagua warned that the economic squeeze Kenyans are under could spur more widespread public action if the government does not address the issue soon.
“If going to the streets will help us defend Kenyans, then we will do it,” he said.
The former DP Rigathi Gachagua also revealed that opposition leaders plan to hold a virtual meeting to discuss the country’s economic situation and possible political action.
According to Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i were attending events in Kisii, while Eugene Wamalwa was in Kakamega handling matters related to the Malaba by-election.
Opposition leaders will discuss rising fuel prices, higher transport costs, and the planned matatu strike, which may disrupt movement across the country.
Gachagua has recently intensified his criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing the government of failing to address the high cost of living and the economic struggles facing many Kenyans.
The latest fuel increase has sparked public anger across the country, with many Kenyans warning that higher transport costs will also push up food prices and the cost of basic goods.
