Lawyer Wahome Thuku has claimed that seven aspirants seeking Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) tickets were denied visas to travel to the United States, sparking questions about their participation in the party’s ongoing candidate selection process.
Thuku made the claims on Thursday, August 27, shortly after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua left Kenya for a planned 50-day tour of the United States covering five states.
According to Thuku, the seven aspirants were unable to obtain US visas in time, potentially making it difficult for them to travel to America as Gachagua holds political engagements with his supporters and allies.
The lawyer had earlier alleged that Gachagua’s US tour could have an impact on the DCP nomination process, claiming that the former deputy president would assess aspirants travelling to the US before deciding who would receive party tickets.
Gachagua departed Kenya on Wednesday, August 26, with supporters and political allies accompanying him to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Before his departure, Gachagua said the extended trip would allow him to make important political decisions away from the influence of his inner circle. He also said the visit would give him an opportunity to spend time with his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi.
The issue of US visas had previously been raised by former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who suggested that obtaining a US visa and purchasing an air ticket could be used as a basic test of commitment for aspirants seeking DCP tickets.
Kuria argued that candidates who could not meet the travel requirements might struggle to demonstrate the level of commitment expected from them.
However, Thuku’s latest claims about the seven aspirants have not been independently verified. Neither the DCP leadership nor the alleged affected aspirants had publicly responded to the claims by the time of publication.
The allegations therefore remain claims, and further clarification from the party or the individuals involved would be necessary to establish what actually happened.