The absence of one Rigathi Gachagua at the State Funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has raised eyebrows among some Kenyans, with curious observers questioning his no-show at the event.
The presence of United Opposition leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamlwa and Justin Muturi at the event indicated that leaders from across the political divide cut a united figure to honour Raila.
This led some to think that the former Deputy President would turn up, despite his previous run-ins with Raila, especially around the 2022 General Elections.
However, the arrival of President William Ruto, the last high-ranking national leader making his entry into Nyayo as per State protocol, meant that Gachagua was highly unlikely to attend the service.
Reasons for his lack of attendance were yet to be revealed at the time of publishing, as no formal communication was issued by his camp ahead of the Friday event.
Gachagua and Raila
The two leaders became well-acquainted with each other during the campaign period ahead of the 2022 General Election. Raila was vying for the Presidency under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition, while Gachagua was Ruto’s running mate.
During the campaigns, Gachagua was one of Raila’s fiercest critics, accusing him of being a ‘State project’, backed by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Gachagua positioned himself as a defender of the “hustler nation” and the Mt. Kenya region against what he framed as elite politics associated with Odinga and Kenyatta.
After the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s win, Gachagua continued to criticise Odinga, especially for leading mass protests against the government in 2023 over the high cost of living and alleged election rigging.
Gachagua accused Odinga of trying to destabilise the country through protests and seeking a ‘handshake’ similar to the one he had with Uhuru in 2018.
Raila, in turn, accused Gachagua of tribalism and of marginalizing parts of the country, particularly in his frequent comments about Mt. Kenya being the government’s priority.
The relationship between the two was not repaired, with Gachagua now in the Opposition camp after his impeachment, with Raila entering into a political partnership with Ruto.
However, after the news of Raila’s death, Rigathi sent out a condolence message, crediting Raila for his service to humanity, and being at the forefront of the fight for Kenya’s democracy and liberation of Kenya.
The State Funeral fell on the first anniversary since Gachagua's impeachment, October 17, 2024, as Deputy President.
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