Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's call for tourists and investors to boycott Kenya until after the 2027 General Election has sparked a rare bipartisan backlash.

• Mr. Gachagua urged foreign visitors and investors to postpone their trips, aiming to pressure President William Ruto's administration over alleged worsening insecurity.
• The remarks drew condemnation from the Kenya Kwanza administration, tourism stakeholders, and even members of the opposition, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party.
• Tourism industry representatives, such as the Kenya Tourism Federation, warned that such negative publicity could destroy the reputation of a destination that takes years to build and urged that the economy should not be a tool in political struggles.

Recent political developments suggest Rigathi Gachagua's influence may not be waning as predicted after his impeachment.

• Rigathi Gachagua, formerly the Deputy President, was thought to be losing political relevance.
• The Ol Kalou MP-elect, Samuel Kamau Ngotho, was mentioned in relation to Gachagua's standing.
• Critics argued that without the official powers of the Deputy President, Gachagua would struggle to maintain his political relevance in Mt Kenya.

A seemingly conciliatory gesture by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua towards his successor, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, is being interpreted by political analysts as a sophisticated political maneuver rather than a genuine attempt at reconciliation.

• Rigathi Gachagua has unexpectedly defended Deputy President Kithure Kindiki against calls for political division within the Mt Kenya region.
• This move follows Gachagua's planned Mt Kenya East tour, which overlaps with Kindiki's political stronghold.
• Analysts suggest Gachagua is employing reverse psychology to increase pressure on Kindiki and assert his own influence as the de facto Mt Kenya leader, particularly after a significant victory for the DCP candidate in the Ol Kalou by-election.