Kenyan Government Rejects Former Deputy President’s Warning to Foreign Tourists
Nairobi, 21 July 2026
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s warning for tourists to avoid Kenya, labelling the remarks as damaging economic sabotage.
The Core of the Dispute
On Sunday, 19 July 2026, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, addressed a congregation at the ACK St Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga Central Constituency [2][3]. During this church service, Gachagua claimed that Kenya is no longer secure due to the presence of ‘goons’ and urged international tourists and foreign investors to stay away from the country until next year [2][3]. This controversial appeal came only 11 days after he appeared at a DCP event on 8 July 2026, marking a sharp escalation in his political rhetoric following his party’s recent victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election [3].
Government Rebuttal and Accusations of Sabotage
The Kenyan government responded swiftly on Monday, 20 July 2026, with Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura holding a press briefing at the Harambee Annex in Nairobi [2][3][4]. Mwaura strongly dismissed Gachagua’s security warnings, asserting that Kenya remains a safe, stable, and highly attractive destination for both local and international visitors [2][3]. He characterised Gachagua’s statements as a form of economic sabotage designed to harm the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans who depend heavily on the tourism sector for employment and foreign exchange [1][2][3].
Economic Indicators and National Unity
To counter the narrative of national instability, Mwaura pointed to Kenya’s robust economic performance, highlighting that the national economy expanded by 5.3 per cent during the first quarter of 2026 [3]. This growth was primarily driven by strong activity in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and the services sector [3]. Mwaura urged political leaders to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue rather than divisive rhetoric, emphasising that public development projects are being distributed equitably across all regions of the country to ensure shared prosperity [2][3].
Polarised Public and Political Reactions
The political fallout from Gachagua’s remarks has sparked intense debate across the country’s political spectrum. East African Legislative Assembly member Hassan Omar accused the former Deputy President of acting out of partisan bitterness rather than patriotism, arguing that campaigning against the country’s tourism industry directly threatens the livelihoods of ordinary citizens [1]. Conversely, some public support emerged on social media, where users like ‘seanheather2’ argued that the government’s failure to address domestic security threats and ‘goons’ poses a legitimate risk to both citizens and international visitors alike [1].
Defending Kenya’s Global Reputation
In addition to addressing domestic political disputes, Mwaura defended Kenya’s international image against what he termed ‘unfair stereotypes’ propagated by foreign visitors [2]. He specifically referenced a viral video clip by American actress Skai Jackson, who claimed that mirrors are an expensive luxury in Kenyan villages and that children were seeing their reflections for the first time on her phone [2]. Mwaura countered this by emphasising that Kenya is a modern, digitally advanced nation with a highly educated population and a growing economy, praising Kenyan citizens for actively defending their national pride online [2].
The Broader Impact on Vulnerable and Refugee Communities
While the political class debates tourism and investment, the stability of Kenya’s economy has profound real-world consequences for vulnerable populations, including refugees in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements in Turkana County [GPT]. Because these communities rely heavily on the broader Kenyan economy for trade, market prices, and humanitarian logistics, national security concerns and economic fluctuations directly influence local commodity prices and security conditions [GPT]. A stable investment climate and robust tourism sector bolster the national budget, indirectly securing the resources necessary to maintain peaceful coexistence, border safety, and shared security in refugee-hosting regions [GPT].