- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has revealed why he skipped Raila Odinga’s state funeral at Nyayo Stadium
- He claims the government plotted to attack him using plainclothes officers, then blame it on the Luo community to stoke tribal tensions
- Gachagua says he received a warning and chose to stay away, fearing the fallout of a politically charged setup
For the first time, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has explained why he did not attend Raila Odinga’s memorial at either Parliament Buildings or Nyayo National Stadium.
Source: UGC
Raila’s body lay in state at Parliament Buildings on October 17, where prominent dignitaries gathered to pay their final respects.
Later that day, it was moved to Nyayo Stadium for a state funeral organised by the government.
Why Rigathi Gachagua skipped Raila’s state funeral
Speaking a month later, Gachagua clarified that his absence was not intentional.
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He claimed to have received intelligence suggesting he was being targeted by the state for political reasons.
Speaking in vernacular during an interview with Inooro TV and Wimwaro Radio on Sunday evening, November 16, Gachagua alleged that the government had orchestrated a plot to attack him and blame it on the Luo community, aiming to incite hostility between Nyanza and Mt Kenya.
Anticipating the scheme, he chose to stay away, he said.
He cited previous incidents of violence, including an attack in Limuru while attending a funeral, another at a church in Kasarani earlier this year, and upon his return from the United States in August.
“I was ready to attend Raila’s state funeral at Nyayo Stadium, but I was cautioned by some police officers not to go. They revealed that the government intended to deploy plainclothes agents to assault me, then blame it on individuals from Nyanza to stir hostility between our communities. After hearing this, I realised the risk was too great and chose not to attend,” he said.
Gachagua also explained that he shelved his plan to visit Bondo after learning that another plot had been schemed against him. He linked it to the Ministry of Interior.
Nonetheless, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) revealed his plan to visit Raila’s home officially to pay homage.
When will Rigathi Gachagua visit Raila’s home?
He said he had been counselled by the elders from the Kikuyu community that, owing to his stature in national politics, he plans a high-level delegation trip to Bondo to show solidarity with the Odinga family and display that there is no animosity between the Nyanza and central Kenya communities.
With the foregoing, he shared that he had reached out to Winnie Odinga, Raila’s lastborn child, and informed her of his plans to visit Kango Ka Jaramogi and Opoda Farm early December after his engagements in the Mbeere North constituency, where he is drumming up support for the United Opposition’s candidate ahead of the November 27 by-election.
“I will be visiting Opoda Farm with my big delegation to mourn the late Raila Odinga in the first week of December. I have been advised by elders that since we have reached out to all other communities, we should reach out to the Luo community and work together.,” Gachagua said.
Despite his absence from Raila Odinga’s final journey, Gachagua reiterated his condolences to the family and referred to his earlier public message eulogising Raila.
He affirmed his enduring respect for Raila as a shrewd political figure, saying the late leader had inspired him.
Gachagua added that he intends to shape his DCP party in Raila’s mould, championing quality leadership akin to those Raila mentored and surrounded himself with.
“Following Raila Odinga’s passing, I conveyed my condolences to his family and paid tribute to his astute political leadership. I acknowledged his remarkable two-decade tenure at the helm of ODM and his commitment to nurturing and working alongside capable leaders,” he said.
Source: Twitter
Meanwhile, Gachagua cast doubt on the sincerity of those who claimed to mourn Raila, suggesting that many who attended the state funeral and burial were not genuine friends but rather political opportunists shedding crocodile tears.
He acknowledged that while he was never personally close to Raila, there was no animosity between them.
In his view, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka stood out throughout the funeral as Raila’s only true ally, having backed him consistently in the 2013, 2017, and 2022 presidential elections.
Gachagua’s plan to visit Bondo came weeks after Raila Odinga Junior invited all Kenyans to visit Kang’o Ka Jaramogi and pay tribute to his late father.
What Raila Odinga Junior told mourners
The former prime minister, who died in India at the age of 80, was laid to rest on October 19 in a state funeral organised by President William Ruto’s government to honour his legacy.
His grave lies beside that of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
On October 25, Raila Junior, now the family’s head following his father’s death, welcomed mourners and emphasised that Kang’o Ka Jaramogi was open to all Kenyans, regardless of tribe, background, or political leaning.
His message of inclusivity stood in contrast to earlier remarks by ODM officials, who had declared that Gachagua and his allies were not welcome in Bondo.
The declaration followed controversial comments by Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga, who appeared to celebrate Raila’s death, calling it divine favour for the Mt Kenya region.
ODM leaders accused Kahiga of speaking with Gachagua’s endorsement due to their political closeness and subsequently declared Gachagua unwelcome in Bondo.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
