Duale mocks Gachagua’s US trip, says Somalis in diaspra won’t fund him
By Mustafa Juma, July 10, 2025Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has taken a swipe at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his trip to the United States of America.
Duale has questioned the purpose and expected outcomes of Gachagua’s trip, particularly on fundraising.
Speaking on the night of Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Duale cast doubt on the effectiveness of Gachagua’s visit, sarcastically noting that if the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) party leader was counting on financial support from the Somali community in the diaspora, he would be disappointed.
“I am told he has gone to the US. I don’t know. For some fundraising? I want to tell him (Gachagua) that the largest community in the diaspora is Somalis, and Somalis will not give him even a dollar,” Duale said.
Gachagua jets out
Gachagua, on the evening of Wednesday, July 9, jetted out of the country via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for the US.
“Tonight, I leave the country for the United States of America. God Bless Kenya,” he posted on X after boarding a plane.
Gachagua, while addressing the press in Nairobi earlier, had stated that the trip is fully packed and will see him engage Kenyans, among other groups in the diaspora.
“Tonight, I will be travelling to the US to talk to Kenyans in the diaspora and the international community about the state of the nation,” he said.
This is Gachagua’s first foreign trip since he was ousted from office.
Gachagua on US trip
The DCP leader revealed the plan last month, noting he will tour several cities in the two-month tour.
Gachagua made the announcement on Sunday, June 29, 2025, while speaking at the ACK Diocese of Nyahururu in Laikipia County.
He said that his decision to tour America had been inspired by the need to trace Kenyans who left for the U.S. many years ago, became wealthy, but have remained detached from their roots.
“And that is why I am going to America for two months—to search for our people who vanished there. They went there for many years and have become very wealthy, but here we are struggling. I have gone to look for those people in places like Texas and urge them to return and support us and help us. So we can love each other,” he said.
Gachagua, who revealed that his itinerary will include states like Texas, encouraged those abroad to remember where they came from and maintain ties with their ancestral homes.