Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been a notable figure missing during the burial ceremony of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the subsequent visits of leaders to his graveyard at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
However, on Wednesday, his allies and close family members visited the family of the late premier, showing indications that Gachagua's camp holds no ill will against the Odingas.
On Wednesday, Gachagua 's sister-in-law, Margaret Nyokabi, was the latest renowned figure to visit the late Raila's graveyard amid deafening silence from the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party leader.
Nyokabi, who is the first widow of Gachagua's elder brother Nderitu Gachagua, led her family in honouring Raila, who passed away from cardiac arrest on October 15.
During the visit, Nyokabi laid a wreath at Raila's gravesite and observed a moment of silence for the former Prime Minister.
She then joined Raila's widow, Mama Ida Odinga, in her homestead, where the two had a brief engagement.
In many ways, Nyokabi's visit was largely seen as a reciprocation of support to the Odinga family, particularly because Raila extended a hand of condolence when she lost her husband in 2017.
At the time, Raila braved political tensions to attend Nderitu Gachagua's send-off in Nyeri as he eulogised the late governor as a committed public servant.
On the same day, Gachagua's close allies, including Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa and Nyandarua Senator John Methu, also appeared to extend an olive branch to the Odinga family by visiting acting ODM Party Leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga at his home in Nairobi.
In a statement, Thang'wa noted that the key purpose of the visit was to extend their condolence messages to Oburu over the loss of his brother. The two leaders also gifted the Senator with two sheep.
While the ODM leadership, led by Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, had initially warned Gachagua and allies from visiting Bondo, the late Raila's son, Raila Junior, has since issued an open invitation, urging everyone willing to visit Kang’o Ka Jaramogi and pay their respects to his late father to do so.
“I used to be just a family member here, but now I stand as one of the elders. As we mourn, we welcome everyone, the entirety of Kenya; this home is open to all who wish to honour Raila. We do not stop anyone from coming to pay their last respects in this home,” he said at his father's gravesite on October 25.
Raila Junior was recently installed as the new head of the family in an intimate and important ceremony last week, as per Luo traditions.
Notably, Rigathi Gachagua has been a quiet figure since the passing of Raila, making just two notable public appearances since October 15.
The first was when he celebrated his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, in the wake of Raila's demise. On Sunday, October 26, he made a public appearance at a church service in Lang'ata but did not address the congregation.
Whether Gachagua will brave the political tensions and visit Raila's gravesite remains to be seen, but with the visits of his allies and family members going smoothly, he might interprete this as a welcoming gesture.
