Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has broken his silence on the widely discussed incident in which former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was seen carrying his own suitcase while boarding a commercial flight to Mombasa.
The episode, which went viral on social media in June 2024, sparked intense speculation about internal tensions within the Kenya Kwanza government.
“I have carried blame for the suitcase fiasco for too long,” Wambugu wrote, adding that even Gachagua’s wife initially thought he had orchestrated it before confirming it was her husband’s plan.
Wambugu explained that the move was designed to send a subtle political message. According to him, Gachagua wanted to show that he had been sidelined after losing access to official transport, including the state helicopter.
“He needed sympathy and wanted to show how Ruto had taken his chopper and left him to use public means,” Wambugu said.
The suitcase moment occurred as Gachagua travelled from Nairobi to Mombasa to attend a pharmaceutical conference.
Images of him walking through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with a blue cabin suitcase quickly made headlines, fueling debates about whether the act was an attempt at humility, a political statement, or both.
Wambugu’s revelation adds a new layer to the incident, coming after his own fallout with Gachagua.
Previously, he had been among the allies supporting the former deputy during his disagreements with President William Ruto.
Now, he frames the suitcase episode as a calculated move by Gachagua to shape public perception rather than a spontaneous act.
The disclosure reignites discussions about political signalling within Kenya Kwanza, highlighting how symbolic acts—such as a man carrying his own luggage—can resonate widely with the public and media alike.