Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s return to the country on Thursday has become a major topic of discussion, not just for his supporters but also for political observers trying to make sense of his sudden change of travel plans.
After spending a month in the United States, Gachagua was expected to fly back to Kenya on a different carrier, but at the last minute he switched to Ethiopian Airlines.
Flight records confirm that he boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ETH318, a Boeing 777-360 (ER), from Addis Ababa to Nairobi.
The flight landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Terminal 1A at 1:26 p.m., slightly behind schedule.The decision to switch flights appears to have been deliberate.
Sources close to him suggest the move was aimed at reducing the risk of interception or monitoring, given the heightened political tension surrounding his return. His trip to the United States had already caused waves after he allegedly made remarks linking President William Ruto to extremist groups, a statement that drew criticism and security concerns back home.
This development has only deepened speculation about whether there were plans to detain him once he landed in Nairobi.
Supporters of Gachagua argue that the flight change was a calculated move to protect him from possible government action. Members of the Democratic Citizens Party, the political outfit he now leads, confirmed that his entry into the country was meant to be discreet, but the excitement among his followers made it difficult to keep things quiet.
Crowds gathered at JKIA waving flags and chanting his name as his convoy left the airport. The warm reception was peaceful, but opposition figures later claimed that the government had placed police officers on standby with the intention of arresting him. Interior officials, however, dismissed those claims as false.
Reports indicate that Gachagua’s convoy had been scheduled to proceed directly to Kamukunji Grounds for a rally, but those plans changed after word spread of heavy police deployment along Mombasa Road.
Instead, the motorcade took an alternate route, avoiding confrontation with security agencies. This maneuver further fueled talk that his return was far from ordinary.
Flight ETH318 itself is notable. The wide-body Boeing 777-360 (ER) used on the route is typically deployed for long-haul flights and is well-suited for VIP passengers due to its comfort and level of privacy.
The flight departed Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa at 11:03 a.m. and completed the journey to Nairobi in 2 hours and 23 minutes. While for many this may seem like a normal commercial flight, the details of this particular journey have raised questions about the political climate in Kenya and what the next steps will be for Rigathi Gachagua now that he is back on home soil.
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