Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made a dramatic and unexpected return to Kenya on Thursday, arriving aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ETH318, a Boeing 777-360 (ER), in what sources describe as a last-minute change of travel plans designed to avoid interception.
Gachagua, who had been on a month-long tour of the United States, was initially expected to land via a different carrier. However, details pieced together from flight records and insider accounts reveal that he quietly switched to Ethiopian Airlines shortly before departure from Addis Ababa, landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Terminal 1A at 1:26 p.m. — slightly behind schedule.
The switch, reportedly made to throw off any attempts to monitor or intercept his arrival, came amid swirling speculation over possible arrest orders linked to his recent remarks abroad. Gachagua had stirred controversy by allegedly linking President William Ruto to extremist groups, prompting heightened security concerns and political tension back home.
Sources close to the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP), which Gachagua now leads, say the flight change was a strategic move to ensure a low-profile entry. His motorcade, which had been expected to proceed to Kamukunji Grounds for a rally, was rerouted after reports of heavy police deployment along Mombasa Road.
Despite the diversion, hundreds of supporters gathered at JKIA to welcome the former DP, waving flags and chanting slogans as his convoy exited the airport. The reception was peaceful, though opposition leaders later claimed the government had planned to detain Gachagua upon arrival — a claim denied by Interior officials.
Flight ETH318, which departed Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport at 11:03 a.m., landed in Nairobi after a 2-hour 23-minute journey. The aircraft, a wide-body Boeing 777-360 (ER), is typically used for long-haul routes and offers enhanced privacy for VIP passengers.
By Star