Former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua has finally spoken on concerns about him not attending the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s burial ceremony, which took place barely five months ago.
While speaking to Ramogi TV on 25 March, Gachagua said that he had planned to attend the state funeral of Raila at Nyayo Stadium but later received information that he could be attacked.
He further claimed that such an attack would have caused chaos at an event that was very important to Raila’s family and supporters.
As a result, he decided not to attend, as the aftermath of an attack could also have sparked conflicts between the Luo and Kikuyu communities.
“I send my condolences to the late Raila Odinga’s family, and I had planned to go to Nyayo National Stadium to mourn him with other Kenyans. However, I received information that some goons were planning to attack me, which could have caused conflict between the Luo and Kikuyu communities.
So, as a senior politician and strategist, I considered that the event was very important to Raila and his people; hence, I saw that it wouldn’t be wise to bring chaos,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua, one of the principals of the United Opposition, added that after he was unable to attend the Nyayo Stadium state funeral, he had planned to go to Bondo to mourn with the family of the late ODM leader.
However, Rigathi Gachagua said he later learned of plans by a senior government official from Nyanza to have goons attack him.
As a result, the DCP party leader opted to send personal condolences to Raila’s widow, who allegedly advised him not to go to Bondo, saying it was not a good idea at the time.
“I also planned to go to Bondo, but I learned of plans to attack me physically, as a strategy to create a rift between the Kikuyus and Luos. So, I called Mama Ida Odinga and sent my personal condolences together with Dorcas Rigathi,” Gachagua added.
Gachagua further emphasised that, out of respect for traditions and norms, he did not visit the Odinga family because he was not invited and is still, to date, waiting for an official invitation from Mama Ida Odinga.
The DCP party leader also maintained that he has no bad blood with the Luo community, noting that he was warmly received the last time he visited the area while still serving as President Ruto’s Deputy.
Before his death in October 2025, Raila Odinga was a harsh critic of Rigathi Gachagua, and the late former Prime Minister found himself at the centre of conflicts between President William Ruto and Gachagua.
In the opposition camp, Rigathi Gachagua was the only principal who did not attend Raila’s burial or visit his home to offer condolences.
