- The family of the late Nderitu Gachagua was represented at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi where it honoured the late Raila Odinga
- Nderitu’s first widow, Margaret Nyokabi, led her family in paying homage to Raila, who died on October 15 at the age of 80
- Nyokabi’s visit comes amid the question of whether her brother-in-law, Rigathi Gachagua, will also honour Raila
One of Rigathi Gachagua’s sisters-in-law visited Kang’o Ka Jaramogi on Wednesday, October 29, to pay homage to the late Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
Margaret Nyokabi led her family in honouring Raila, who died two weeks ago at the age of 80.
How Margaret Nyokabi honoured Raila Odinga
She is the first widow of late Nderitu Gachagua, the elder brother of the former deputy president.
Nyokabi laid a wreath on the grave and observed a moment of silence in honour of the deceased.
Perhaps as a reciprocation of the gesture Raila extended to her family when she lost her husband in 2017.
Raila braved the political temperatures the time to travel to Nyeri to participate in the send-off of the late Gachagua, who was Nyeri’s first governor.
At the time, Raila eulogised Nderitu as a calm politician who defended devolution with all his energy.
Nyokabi’s visit came in light of Raila Odinga Junior’s giving an open invitation to all Kenyans to visit Kang’o Ka Jaramogi and pay their respects to his late father.
Source: Twitter
On October 25, Raila Odinga Junior, newly named as the family’s head after his father’s death, extended a warm invitation to all Kenyans to visit his father’s gravesite.
Addressing governors and mourners at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, he said the site was open to everyone, irrespective of tribe, status, or political leaning.
His message of unity stood in contrast to earlier remarks from certain ODM officials who had suggested that the former deputy president and his associates were not welcome in Bondo.
Why ODM officials barred Gachagua from Bondo
During an October 22 press briefing in Kisumu, attended by ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, some of the party officials linked Gachagua to controversial remarks by Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga, who seemed to portray Raila’s passing as a divine blessing for the Mt Kenya region.
According to them, Kahiga’s remarks had the blessing of Gachagua, noting that they would not allow the latter to set foot in Bondo.
Kahiga’s comments drew widespread condemnation, leading to his removal from the Council of Governors leadership, where he had served as vice chair.
Did Gachagua bless Mutahi Kahiga’s sentiments?
Gachagua’s allies publicly disassociated themselves from the Nyeri governor’s remarks, clarifying that his views did not represent their position.
Kahiga had controversially suggested that Raila’s death would redirect government focus and resources from Nyanza and Western Kenya to the Mt Kenya region, citing Raila’s influence over national policy through his ties to President William Ruto.
In response, Gachagua’s faction condemned the comments as hate speech and urged Ruto to take disciplinary action against Kahiga, given his affiliation with the ruling UDA party.
Meanwhile, Kahiga apologised over the remarks but was stripped of his role as the Council of Governors (CoG) vice chairman.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
