There is growing anger among Kenyans living in the US after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s much-hyped meeting in Boston failed to happen—despite people paying huge amounts to attend.
Kenyans in the diaspora were asked to buy tickets to meet Gachagua, with prices ranging from $1,500 (about KSh 195,000), $2,500 (about KSh 325,000), and VVIP tickets going for $5,000 (about KSh 650,000). The event was supposed to take place on July 23rd. But as the day came and went, there was no communication, no meeting, and no refund. Calls to the organizers were ignored.
“I paid because I wanted to support a Kenyan leader and hear his vision. But now I feel cheated,” said one Kenyan based in Boston. “We’re scared to talk openly because some people have received threats, but what’s happening is wrong.”
Several people claim Gachagua’s team told them the money was to help raise billions for his 2027 presidential campaign. “They said we’re helping bring back leadership to the mountain region,” one attendee shared. “But it now feels like we were just used to fund his personal ambitions.”
Frustrated Kenyans in the diaspora are demanding refunds and calling for Gachagua’s team to speak up. “It’s not fair to treat Kenyans abroad like ATMs,” said another.
What was supposed to be a community engagement and political outreach has now turned into a public relations disaster. No official statement has come from Gachagua’s office or his team.
The silence has only raised more questions—was this a genuine outreach or a cleverly disguised money-making scheme? For many diaspora Kenyans, trust has been broken.
