DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has sparked one of the rarest moments of political unity after his appeal to foreign tourists and investors to stay away from Kenya until after the 2027 General Election drew sharp criticism from both the government and sections of the opposition.
His remarks have also angered tourism players, who warned that such statements could damage a sector that supports thousands of jobs and remains one of the country's biggest foreign exchange earners.
The former Deputy President made the remarks over the weekend, saying the appeal was meant to increase international pressure on President William Ruto's administration over what he described as rising insecurity and political violence.
Instead, the comments triggered widespread condemnation from leaders across the political divide, exposing growing disagreement over how far political competition should go.
The reaction has also reignited debate on whether Kenya's economy should ever be dragged into political battles, with critics arguing that discouraging visitors and investors hurts ordinary citizens more than those in power.
Former Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura termed the remarks irresponsible and unpatriotic, saying every Kenyan would bear the consequences if tourism suffered.
“We will all suffer. It is a sector that generates significant revenue for the country,” he said.
Mwaura also defended the government's efforts to revive tourism following years of global and local challenges, maintaining that the country's security situation remains stable despite the concerns raised by Gachagua.
The tourism industry moved quickly to calm fears, warning that confidence in a destination is built over many years but can be lost within a short time if negative messages spread internationally.
Kenya Tourism Federation chairman Fred Odek urged leaders to separate politics from the country's tourism brand.
“Political competition is an essential feature of democracy. However, Kenya’s tourism brand should never become collateral damage in political disagreements.”
The Kenya Coast Tourism Association and the Lake Victoria Tourism Association backed the federation's position, saying the industry provides employment to hundreds of thousands of Kenyans directly and indirectly and should not become a casualty of political rivalry. Tourism Principal Secretary Julius Bitok also appealed for restraint.
At the Coast, where tourism remains a key pillar of the regional economy, political leaders closed ranks against Gachagua's remarks. Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho and Salim Mvurya joined governors, senators, Members of Parliament and other leaders in issuing a joint statement condemning the appeal.
“As leaders from the Coast region, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the reckless and unfortunate remarks made by Rigathi Gachagua,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
Mvurya said the remarks raised serious questions about Gachagua's leadership.
“Somebody is urging the international community not to visit Kenya, we now know he is somebody who cannot lead the country,” Mvurya said.
The criticism also came from within the opposition, revealing different opinions on how concerns over governance and security should be raised.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party distanced itself from the call, saying political competition should never undermine Kenya's economic interests.
In a statement signed by Secretary-General Moitalel Ole Kenta, the party agreed with Gachagua's concerns over insecurity, shrinking democratic space, political intolerance and the infiltration of criminal gangs into politics. Even so, it rejected any move that could discourage tourism or foreign investment, arguing that the biggest victims would be ordinary Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on the sector.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, however, defended Gachagua, saying leaders have a responsibility to speak honestly about the country's security situation.
“Whether the DCP boss blows the whistle on insecurity in the country or he doesn’t, the facts don't change. Kenya is internally more insecure today than it has ever been,' Wambua said.
He added that tourists and investors make their own choices based on available information and not political statements alone.
People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, while not backing the boycott appeal, argued that insecurity itself poses the greatest danger to the tourism industry.
“Lawlessness on its own is a deterrent to tourists,” she observed.
The controversy has now grown beyond Gachagua's remarks, opening a wider discussion on the limits of political campaigns and whether economic sectors that support millions of livelihoods should be drawn into the country's political contest.