Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his decision to skip the state funeral of Raila Odinga, citing serious security concerns and accusing some political leaders of hypocrisy. His explanation came in an interview on iNooro TV, where he claimed that intelligence had warned him of potential “hitmen” using plain-clothes officers to foment violence during the event. According to Gachagua, he was repeatedly apprised by the police that his life could be at risk. In his words, the threat was not baseless but part of a broader plot involving senior government officials and designed to stir ethnic tensions.
Gachagua said that some officers had told him the plan was to stir a narrative of ethnic conflict by blaming certain communities for any outbreak of violence. “They may say it was the people from the Nyanza region … so that the Gikuyu and Luos can be enemies,” he alleged. For him, staying away was a matter of personal safety and political principle — not cowardice.
But beyond the security threats, Gachagua also questioned the sincerity of some eulogies at the funeral. He accused President William Ruto and other leaders of hypocrisy, claiming their public expressions of sorrow belied their past animosity and criticism of Raila. “Ruto was there pretending … yet he used to tell us that Raila was a witch … all lies,” he said. The former vice president dismissed the idea of a public burial in Bondo as a trap, saying a private tribute would better reflect his genuine respect.
Adding a cultural dimension to his stance, Gachagua defended mourning in private. He argued that honoring someone does not always require public appearances, especially if doing so could compromise one’s security. He insisted that his choice was rooted in reverence rather than political defiance.
Gachagua’s Ayilah has drawn support from his colleagues, including Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, who described him as demonstrating “emotional intelligence and statesmanship.” Meanwhile, critics have not held back. Tony Gachoka, Raila’s former chief of protocol, called Gachagua’s absence a “failure of leadership” and a missed chance for national unity.
As the debate unfolds, Gachagua’s explanation highlights deeper tensions about loyalty, power, and legacy in Kenyan politics. His silence at the funeral is being interpreted in multiple ways — as a carefully calculated political decision by some, or as a principled stand by others. Ultimately, whether his choice will be remembered as caution or controversy may depend on whose narrative prevails.
Image by KBC Digital
