Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stated that his absence from the late Raila Odinga’s State funeral and burial was due to alleged security threats against his life. Speaking during an interview, Gachagua said he had already paid tribute to the former Prime Minister, describing Odinga as “a very important state leader.” He further praised Raila’s political journey and the organisation of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
I would like to create a strong political party like ODM. For 20 years, ODM has been a great party, and I would like to make DCP stronger than ODM. I admire how Raila chose experienced political leaders to stand with his party
Rigathi Gachagua“I Was Warned of a Plot to Harm Me”
Gachagua claimed he had been prepared to attend the national funeral service at the Nyayo National Stadium but was warned of a planned attack against him. He alleged that certain individuals in government had previously made attempts on his life and that those incidents were never investigated.
The government had sent hitmen to Limuru to kill me, and until today they have not been arrested. Ruto sent hitmen to kill me in PCA Mwiki in April. When I arrived from the USA, I was beaten by hired men and police officers in civilian clothing
Rigathi Gachagua According to Gachagua, some police officers privately advised him to stay away from the funeral, warning that an attack could be blamed on people from the Nyanza region, potentially triggering animosity between the Gikuyu and Luo communities.
They planned to use officers in civilian clothing to attack me so that it would be said that people from Nyanza attacked me, to make the Gikuyu and Luos enemies
Rigathi Gachagua Planned Bondo Visit Also Cancelled
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader added that he also cancelled a planned visit to Bondo, alleging that senior government officials had planned a similar attack during that trip.
I then said I would go to Bondo, but the same plan had been arranged so that they could kill me to trigger enmity between our communities. I know President Ruto’s administration very well, and I would not allow myself to fall into his trap
Rigathi Gachagua “The Funeral Was Full of Lies”
Gachagua further claimed that he would not have attended the ceremony even without security threats. He accused President William Ruto and other government leaders of pretending to admire Raila despite previously criticising him.
Even if there were no threats, the lies told at the funeral I could not condone. Ruto was there pretending how Raila was good and crying, yet he used to tell us Raila was a witch and the nation’s problem
Rigathi Gachagua Gachagua claimed that the only leader who spoke truthfully at the burial was Kalonzo Musyoka, who he said had worked closely with Raila for 15 years.
