By Anderson Ojwang
From placing traps and spies everywhere in State House and declaring that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga should humbly retire to Bondo, to seeking a political alliance—has the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua swallowed the humble pie?
At a burial in Murunga, Rigathi’s ally and area senator, Joe Nyotu, bit the bullet by saying that his boss was ready to support Raila to become president in the 2027 election.
“I come from Murunga County, Your Excellency Prime Minister Raila Odinga, where SK Macharia comes from. For the sake of SK Macharia, who has really wanted to see you become president, you can only achieve that if you run in 2027.
Gachagua is ready to support you. If you support Ruto, you will have to play second fiddle. You will frustrate our honourable SK Macharia. Support Rigathi and Kalonzo Musyoka, and you will be president,” he said at the funeral attended by Raila.
After Raila failed to secure the African Union Commission Chairman seat, Rigathi extended an olive branch to him so that he could join his camp.
“Africa needed you most, but God, in his own wisdom, found that Kenya—your motherland—indeed we Kenyans, your beloved brothers and sisters, have unfinished business with you as a coveted son as we unshackle our country from recklessness.
In any case, the outcome at the AU doesn’t, in any way, undermine your leadership and your energy to fix our nation. Welcome back home, our son Raila Odinga, with your head held high. East or West, home is best.”
After the 2022 presidential election victory, Rigathi went into overdrive to demonise Raila at the slightest opportunity and asked him to retire peacefully to Bondo, his village.
“Nimepanga hiyo Ikulu, nimeweka mitego kila corner, kila corner…na niko na watu wakionekana tu karibu napigiwa simu kwa sababu huwezi kubali mtu ameharibu serikali nne aingie ya tano. (I have laid traps everywhere in State House. I have my spies who inform me should Raila be seen near State House. We cannot allow someone who has destroyed four governments to destroy the fifth.)
“Mimi nalala na jicho moja, ingine nalala ikiwa on. Nikisikia maneno nakimbia hapo. Hii serikali tulitafuta na shida nyingi sana hatuwezi kubali mtu aharibu. (I sleep with one eye open. If I hear anything, I run to State House. We struggled so much to get this government, and I cannot allow someone to destroy it.)
“Juzi nimeenda ng’ambo, nimeenda Italy, wanajaribu kupitia huko…nikarudi haraka. (Recently, I travelled abroad, to Italy, and I heard they were trying to get to the president. I came back immediately.) He is a Saul who has now become a Paul.
This government belongs to shareholders.
Nawaambia hawa watu wa upinzani hakuna serikali ya nusu mkate. (I tell these opposition people there is no broad-based government.),” Rigathi said in the past.
Raila, who spoke at the funeral, said it was important to unite the country and avoid placing it in a campaign mood.
“I have heard what the young man from Murunga said. That if I want to become president, then I should go and see Gachagua and Kalonzo.
You do not know where I have come from. Relax. Kindly relax. The country can burn if the people don’t compromise. The democracy we are building and nurturing in this country—we have come a long way.
We brought reforms through sacrifice and the blood of Kenyans. That is why we are here today.
In the 1992 elections, it was not fair. In 1997, Mwai Kibaki won, but it was rigged through an extension of the voting day. In 2002 was the first and only time we had free and fair elections. The subsequent ones, just like SK Macharia has said, have gone that way.
I have won several times, but I have simply not been declared the winner. Kenya is bigger than all of us.
Democracy is a project—it is not like instant coffee that you brew and drink at the same time. What is important is that Kenyans remain together and peaceful.
There is no need to say, ‘Raila should vie for the presidency in 2027.’ We cannot allow the country to burn. Kenyans need to live between now and 2027. The cost of living is high, Kenyans are suffering, and we must address their plight. We agreed on 10 agenda points.
You say Ruto should go. Where should he go? What will happen next? Previously, it was ‘Ruto should go and Gachagua should take over.’ Now, it is ‘Ruto should go, and Prof Kithure Kindiki should take over.’ Then, it will be ‘Kindiki should go,’ and after that, they will bring a new person. That is a charade.
We cannot do politics for five years non-stop. The country cannot develop through continuous politicking. We cannot put the country in a campaign mood. It will be noise with no work. We must work.
I had a consultation with Kenyans about working with Ruto to unite the country, and they asked me to do so.
It is not a must that Raila must contest for the presidency. He can stay at home. You said Raila is old.”
Homa Bay MP Opondo Kaluma said Gachagua and the Mt Kenya region cannot support Raila for the presidency and that these overtures are just political gimmicks aimed at masking the fact that they are still bound by the oath against a Luo presidency.
