Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on tourists to suspend visits to Kenya until next year, citing what he described as rising insecurity and alleged attacks by ‘goons’ and rogue police officers.

Gachagua made the remarks on Sunday, July 19, 2026, during a church service at ACK Diocese of Kirinyaga, St Thomas Cathedral, where he accused the government of failing to protect citizens and questioned where victims should seek justice when they believe security officers are involved in wrongdoing.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said tourists should delay their trips until after the 2027 General Election, arguing that the country needed to address security concerns before welcoming more visitors.

“Because we do not want to destroy tourism in this country, I want to call upon tourists to suspend their visit to Kenya until next year,” Gachagua said.

He added that investors should also wait before coming into the country, claiming that some foreign businesses had already experienced insecurity.

“Between now and the next election, foreign investors should stay away from this country. Last week, Chinese investors were at Ngong Road, goons entered, took their phones, watches and money, and left,” he said.

Gachagua accused authorities of failing to provide clear channels for victims to report alleged abuses, questioning how citizens should seek justice when complaints involve members of the police service.

“Those policemen who killed two people in Ol Kalou, where do we report them? Do we report police to police?” he asked.

Security concerns take centre stage

The former deputy president also criticised calls for victims of assaults to report cases to authorities, saying some victims may not trust the same institutions accused of failing to protect them.

His remarks come amid heightened political debate over security, police accountability and the conduct of law enforcement agencies. Gachagua has previously raised concerns about violence linked to protests and political activities, urging Kenyans to remain cautious during tense periods.

During the service, Gachagua said Kenya risked moving towards “anarchy” if citizens continued to lose confidence in state institutions.

He blamed the current situation on Kenyans who supported President William Ruto in the 2022 election, saying it was now their responsibility to organise politically and seek change through elections.

“We are to blame for the problems in this country. We are the ones who chose William Ruto, and he has troubled Kenyans. Now it is our job to mobilise our vote,” he said.

Kenya relies heavily on international visitors and foreign investment. The country’s travel advisories continue to highlight security concerns, including the risk of crime and disruptions caused by protests in some areas.

The remarks come days after Canada updated its travel advisory for Kenya, warning its citizens against travelling to several areas due to security concerns, including terrorism, kidnapping and crime. The advisory placed counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu under its highest-risk category, while also flagging parts of Turkana, Marsabit, Tana River and Kilifi.

Canada also advised caution in some Nairobi neighbourhoods, including Eastleigh and Kibera.

Although such advisories mainly target citizens of the issuing countries, they can influence international travel decisions and investor confidence. Kenya’s tourism sector remains a major contributor to the economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs through hotels, tour operators, transport services and other businesses.

The government has previously maintained that Kenya remains open for business and tourism, while security agencies have continued to defend their role in maintaining law and order.