Former Deputy President Rigathi
Gachagua has dismissed Raila Odinga as politically irrelevant in the 2027 elections,
stating that the veteran politician brings “nothing to the table” and will not
influence the outcome.
Speaking during a forum with Kenyans
in the diaspora in Seattle, United States, on Friday, July 11, 2025, Gachagua
described Raila as a spent force, claiming that communities which traditionally
supported him had already shifted their loyalty.
“Raila Odinga brings nothing to the
table,” said Gachagua.
“The Kambas who were behind him, they have
left. The Kisis have left. The Luhyas have left. The Maasais have left. The Luo
Nation is divided in the middle.”
He said that even if united, Raila and President William Ruto would not change the
election outcome.
“Even if they are together, we’ll
beat them seven to plus one per cent,” he said.
He also mocked Raila’s recent public
statements on state violence during youth-led protests, accusing him of playing
public relations while being close to Ruto.
“William Ruto is his partner. Why is he
addressing him through the press? They are brothers. You say you work together.
Go to his office,” Gachagua remarked.
The former Deputy President also
denied claims by Ruto that there were plans to unseat him through
unconstitutional means.
“Nobody wants to overthrow him. It’s
a lie,” he said. “He wants to use that as an excuse to suppress people and
arrest leaders.”
Gachagua told the audience that
Kenyans were silently angry over the high cost of living, state violence, and
overtaxation, but would express their frustrations at the ballot. “Kenyans are
angry. They are just quiet,” he said. “They’ll express their anger on the
ballot in 2027.”
He further blamed President Ruto for
creating false narratives that the Kikuyu community was leading the resistance
against him.
“That propaganda by William Ruto and
his cronies, that it is Kikuyu Nation that is against him, is a lie,” he said.
Gachagua maintained that opposition
to Ruto was not tribal but national, pointing to widespread discontent over
governance and economic hardships.
“All Kenyans, irrespective of the communities
they come from, are unhappy with the destruction of the Kenyan economy,” he
said.
Gachagua assured the diaspora that
the United Opposition would remain united and announce one joint presidential
candidate by December.
He said they were ready to support
whichever candidate is picked, mentioning Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiangi,
Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua..
“We shall stick together to the
end,” he said.
“None of us can afford the luxury of allowing Ruto
to come back.”
He also introduced the Democracy for
Citizens Party (DCP), calling it “the most popular party in the country” and
urged diaspora members to support its chapters.
“We shall have fair nominations. Let the
people decide,” he said.
Gachagua concluded by calling on
Kenyans abroad to remain united and involved. “Never walk alone. There is
strength and safety in walking together,” he said.
