By Anderson Ojwang’
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has become a political pariah in Nyanza and has emerged as a political tool to de-campaign his allies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While other presidential hopefuls including President William Ruto, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, and Martha Karua of the Peoples Liberation Party, among others, are welcomed, Gachagua remains a persona non grata in the community.
Unlike the late Raila Amolo Odinga and his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who suffered the political consequences of the Mt Kenya oathing against their quest for Kenya’s leadership, Gachagua dug his own grave.
Just as Raila was the black sheep of Mt Kenya’s politics and a potent campaign arsenal which caused many of his associates their political careers, Gachagua has today assumed a similar role in the current political dispensation in the lake region.
Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma wrote on X handle: “Our Mt Kenya brothers took oath back in 1969 that presidency would never go beyond Mt Kenya. For this reason, whenever the presidency goes to a person outside Mt Kenya, they frustrate, create anarchy and fuel civil unrest.”
The politics of shareholdings and traps
Gachagua now has a date with destiny in his quest for Nyanza votes over the reality of the past when he was the country’s second most senior person in the administrative pecking order.
During his tenure in the office of Deputy President, he rubbed both leaders and the public the wrong way.
Gachagua, while in office, took to criticising Raila and even said that he had laid traps in State House for Raila to negate his entry to meet with President William Ruto.
For instance, during the burial of Mau Mau veteran General Mathenge in Nyandarua, Gachagua took issue with Raila for asking him to allow ongoing consultations between Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza Government.
Raila then said at the funeral: “If we can hold consultations, that is in order. Riggy, there is no harm in people talking. Let people have talks, even if you don’t want to hear my word, just listen to what I say. We don’t want half a loaf. What and which kind of bread? I do not want to become Deputy President. I don’t want to be Prime Minister. I am not interested. Stop panicking. I have not spoken or even met Ruto.”
But Gachagua responded: “Former Prime Minister, we have not rejected consultations and talks, but we fear you. The reason is that you came and had a handshake with our son, former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was a good person. He loved and worked for us. But when you got into a handshake with him, he changed. We from Mt Kenya fear you. Be like your father, who helped us in the fight for the land that belonged to the Mau Mau and was taken away. Those who have possessed those lands are your friends. Help us get back the land.”
Rejected overtures, a signal of a black sheep
After his impeachment, Gachagua said that he had been mandated by the Mt Kenya people to look for a political formation that will bring power to the people.
“I was looking at it with a few strategists from the region. Raila’s numbers are more exciting. Because Raila already has 6.8 million votes. We only beat him by only 200,000 votes. If we agree to support him, we could – I told you – with his 6.8 million and our 6 million votes, if you look at his voting pattern, he normally votes between 10.00 am and 11.00 am. If we agree to support him, before he votes, he will be the president. That you can take to the bank,” he said in a recent interview.
“I want our people to remain quiet so that we can get what we want going forward. Those who are making noise in the opposition told us that they were in the government of shareholders. They said they have shares. They told us that they have shareholding in the government. Some have more shares while others have the least. Now that they have left the government after their fights, they have come to us so that we may join them in order to make us president. But they are forgetting that when they were in the government, they used to abuse us. They did not know that we are a people who matter. Now at this time, they are in a fix. They want us to join them. They now say that they want to give you the presidency. Bloody bastard,” he said.
Absence at Raila’s funeral
Gachagua remains the senior most politician in the country who never attended Raila’s burial and has never paid homage at his graveside.
While top leaders and Kenyans of all shades of life have paid homage, Gachagua’s absence has cemented the belief that he is anti-Raila, both in life and death.
But Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa then said Gachagua’s silence and absence during Raila’s farewell were not a sign of defiance or indifference, but an act of respect and statesmanship.
Karungo said Gachagua’s decision reflected an understanding of the solemnity of the moment. “Kenya does not stop when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chooses silence,” he wrote. “It listens even more closely.”
He said Gachagua’s absence allowed the country to focus on celebrating Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s democracy.
“By choosing to step back, Gachagua ensured that the spotlight remained where it truly belonged – on Baba’s journey, sacrifice, and contribution,” he said.
Demonstrations
The recent demonstrations which have rocked most parts of Mt Kenya region have not been replicated in Nyanza.
Nyanza has remained calm as the restive Mt Kenya went to the streets, with ODM leaders led by party leader Dr Oburu Oginga and National Chairperson Gladys Wanga thanking the residents for avoiding demos.
“I am happy that this time our people were not on the streets. We have witnessed several deaths, and now let other people also take the lead,” Wanga said.
