Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned Raila Odinga that his political union with President William Ruto would result in a terrible betrayal for him.
Gachagua delivered a scathing speech at the founding of Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP) on Thursday, February 27, 2025, recalling how Ruto deceived him while cautioning Raila against engaging with the president.
Gachagua, who was removed as deputy president following an impeachment motion supported by a coalition of ODM and Kenya Kwanza parliamentarians, recalled his own tumultuous relationship with Ruto.
He alleged that the president had publicly admitted to exploiting Raila for political purposes, particularly to secure ODM support.
“Ata hii mzee yetu Tinga atamgonga, hio mzee atamchanganya wee utaona. Na [Ruto] aliniambia ‘hii mzee wachia mimi’,” Gachagua said.
“Siku alikua anapanga kuenda AU nkamuuliza ‘agenda yako na hii mzee ni gani? Akasema ‘wacha hii mzee ntapanga ye. Hii mzee ntapanga ye kidogo kidogo nipeleke ye AU nini nini nichukue ODM’. And I can see it’s happening.”
The former deputy president asked Raila to abandon Ruto and join the opposition coalition seeking to depose the President before the 2027 general elections.
“So wee bwana Tinga you are listening to people who have experience with that man,” Gachagua said.
“Sababu wewe ni mzee wetu na uliumia, we want to give you a small tip, huyo mtu achana na yeye. Mukimalizana utakuja hapa unalia vile sisi tunalia. We know him and that is exactly what will happen.”
Raila is the kingmaker in the 2027 polls because he has four voting blocs, Nyanza, Western, Coast, and Nairobi, that have consistently voted for him since the 2007 election.
Gachagua has made overtures to Raila in recent days, implying that he would support the veteran opposition leader if he decides to run in 2027.
During a KTN interview on Monday, February 24, 2025, Gachagua expressed his desire to collaborate with any leader devoted to Kenya’s future.
He distanced himself from the Kenya Kwanza administration, which he had previously served.
“I am open to working with anybody who means well for the country. I want to tell supporters of Raila from Nyanza not to fight the people from Mt. Kenya because we are not their enemies,” he stated.
Gachagua underlined that his objection was not directed against Raila, but rather at the current government’s leadership.He also wanted to dispel the myth that Mount Kenya voters were anti-Raila.
He also dismissed viral photographs of Kirinyaga villagers cheering his defeat in the AU Commission bid as unrepresentative of the region’s position.
“Some people are blaming the people of Mt Kenya for the loss just because a few women in Kirinyaga celebrated his loss,” Gachagua said.
