I feared for my life due to planned attacks: Gachagua on why he skipped Raila’s State funeral

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has attributed his absence from the late Raila Odinga’s State funeral to alleged threats to his life, saying he feared an attack that could have been used to stoke ethnic tensions.

Speaking during an interview with iNooro TV on Sunday night, Gachagua said that although he was prepared to attend the national funeral service at Nyayo National Stadium, he was warned of a plot to harm him. He, however, noted that he had already paid tribute to the former Prime Minister, describing him as “a very important state leader.”

He added that he admired Raila’s political resilience and the organisation of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

“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. Second, I said I admire the way Raila chose his political leaders with high experience to stand for his party and the house," Gachagua said.

Gachagua alleged that certain individuals within the government had previously planned to assassinate him, adding that earlier attempts on his life had gone uninvestigated, prompting him to stay away from the national mourning event.

“The government had sent some hitmen to Limuru to kill me, and until today, they have not been arrested. Ruto himself had sent some hitmen to kill me in PCA Mwiki in April. Also, on my arrival from the USA, I was beaten by hired men and police officers in civilian clothing,” he said.

He noted that some police officers advised him not to attend the funeral, warning that an attack on him could be blamed on people from the Nyanza region, which could trigger animosity between the Gikuyu and Luo communities.

“Some police told me not to go because the government had planned to use some officers in civilian clothing to attack me, so that it may be said that people from the Nyanza region attacked me, so that the Gikuyu and Luos can be enemies,” the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said.

Gachagua added that he also cancelled a planned visit to Bondo, claiming that senior government officials had arranged a similar plan to attack him there. He said he understood President Ruto’s administration well and would not allow himself to fall into what he called a trap designed to fuel ethnic conflict.

“I then said I would go to Bondo, and the official Interior PS Raymond Omolo had arranged the same plan so that they could attack and kill me to trigger enmity between our communities. I know President Ruto's administration very well, and I could not have allowed myself to fall into his trap,” he said.

He further claimed that even without security threats, he would not have attended the ceremony because of what he described as lies spoken during the funeral. According to Gachagua, President Ruto and other government officials pretended to admire Raila despite previously criticising him. He said the only person who spoke truthfully at the burial was Kalonzo Musyoka, who had worked closely with Raila for 15 years.

“Even if there were no threats, the lies told at the funeral I couldn't condone. Ruto was there pretending how Raila was good and crying, yet he used to tell us that Raila was a witch, and the nation's problem, all lies," he said.

Gachagua revealed that the Odinga family confirmed their support for a Mt Kenya delegation visit to Bondo, following discussions he held with Winnie Odinga, the late Raila Odinga’s daughter. He noted that Winnie approved the timing of the visit to take place after the conclusion of the Mbeere North by-election.

“I have accepted the call, and I have already spoken with Winnie Odinga, the daughter of Raila Odinga. I told her to allow me to finish matters related to the Mbeere by-election, and then, in the first week of December, I will lead a large delegation of elders, churches and leaders from Mt Kenya to Bondo,” Gachagua said.

The purpose, he said, is to mourn Raila, convey condolences to his family and cultivate closer relations with the Luo community.

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“We will mourn Raila, convey our condolences to his family, and cultivate our relationship with the Luo community. We do not have any vendetta with the Luos,” Gachagua added.

The former deputy president also praised the Odinga family for having rolled out the red carpet for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka when he visited them. He noted that several Luo leaders and Odinga family members, including Ida Odinga, James Orengo, and Ruth Odinga, have openly praised Kalonzo for being a loyal friend who stood by Raila throughout their 15-year relationship.

“And you saw that when Kalonzo visited the Odinga family, he was received in a big way. I am very happy with them because they told him that he was a true friend they could trust. Ida was among those who said that James Orengo, Ruth Odinga, and many others acknowledged Kalonzo because he stood with Raila for 15 years and never abandoned him. They confirmed that it was truly a genuine friendship,” Gachagua said.

He explained that while he and Raila were not close collaborators, there was no vendetta between them. He added that elders from his own community have advised him to build political alliances across communities, citing his previous efforts uniting the Kamba, Mijikenda, Maasai and Kikuyu communities.

“For me, Raila and I were not very close brothers, and we never collaborated very closely, but we had no vendetta. I have been told by elders from my community that because I am seeking political friends, and I have already reached out to the Kamba community, Mijikenda, Maasai and others and managed to unite them with my Kikuyu community, they advised me also to reach out to the Luo community and unite them with my tribe,” Gachagua said.