Junet: Why I missed Raila’s anniversary

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders for the party's waning influence since the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Gachagua, who was absent from the first anniversary commemorations of Raila's death, revealed he was in the United States on a scheduled trip. In a statement released on October 15, 2026, Gachagua thanked Mama Ida Odinga for inviting him to the memorial ceremony at Migwena Cultural Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.

He praised Raila as "the father of our democracy and defender of the rights of Kenyans" and recalled his heartfelt praise of Raila and Ida during the late leader's campaign for the African Union chairperson position. Gachagua criticized some politicians for praising Raila despite previously demeaning him, labeling them as "pretenders" and accusing them of "crocodile tears."

He also noted that those now celebrating the late prime minister had previously referred to him using derogatory terms, such as "mchawi, mganga, mtu ya Kung’oa reli" and "the lord of poverty." Gachagua emphasized the importance of recognizing people's contributions while they are still alive. He praised Raila's party-building efforts and expressed his desire to build a similar political movement through his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

Gachagua directed his harsh criticism towards ODM, stating that some of its current supporters had contributed to the decline of the party he built over several decades. He described ODM as "a pale shadow of its former self" a year after Raila's death, and claimed that those who "sold ODM to Baba’s traitor" lacked the courage to attend the anniversary after tarnishing the late leader's political legacy. Gachagua concluded by saying, "Rest Well, Jakom!"