Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused ODM party leader Raila Odinga of secretly working both within and outside the government in a bid to manipulate political outcomes ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking at Jesus Exaltation Church, Bethsaida in Kajiado East Constituency, Kajiado County, Gachagua claimed Raila created two factions to benefit from both ends depending on different outcomes.
According to Gachagua, the former Prime Minister was being "strategic", and part of his strategy was using the new-look Kenya Moja alliance spearheaded by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to challenge the government from within.
“Raila is very clever. Don’t be fooled when he says he hasn’t fielded a candidate. He has two groups within the government,” Gachagua alleged.
"One group is to extort money from the government by backing it. Because he knows the President is a conman, he has formed a different group to make noise. When he said ODM would not field a candidate, it was because his cheque was late."
Nairobi Senator Sifuna has been the subject of controversy within ODM in recent weeks, particularly because he has emerged as a polarising figure within the party despite being the party's Secretary General.
In August, the Senator courted controversy when he claimed he was ready to quit ODM if the party backed the Kenya Kwanza government in the 2027 polls.
Sifuna has since come together to form a unique 'youthful' political outfit alongside the likes of Embakasi Member of Parliament Babu Owino and his Githunguri counterpart Gathoni Wamuchomba, among others.
Raila has created two camps, one with Junet to praise the govt and another with Sifuna to make noise - Gachagua pic.twitter.com/Bpb1d6sCMC
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) September 28, 2025
But, according to Gachagua, the new alliance was Raila's doing in a broader plan to exploit the Kenya Kwanza regime.
Gachagua further alleged that Raila's silence on whether or not ODM will field a candidate in 2027 was tied to financial negotiations with the government.
More sensationally, Gachagua further claimed that President Ruto once confided in him that Raila's political arrangements were primarily tied to monetary gain rather than based on ideologies.
He added, "When he said ODM would not field a candidate, it was because his cheque was late." Sifuna has denied being anyone's project in the past and has yet to respond to the latest spate of claims.
During ODM's 20th anniversary, Raila discouraged party members from making premature statements about the party's electoral plans as he urged them to wait for an official position. He hinted that ODM may indeed field a candidate in 2027.
“Don’t commit the party to some things that have not been discussed. Who told you ODM does not have a candidate in 2027?” Raila asked during the event.
