Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has praised Raila Odinga as a model of political resilience. In a speech on November 1, 2025, during a feast in Murang'a County, Gachagua highlighted Odinga's success in building the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
He noted that Odinga influenced governments without ever winning the presidency, a legacy Gachagua said he aims to replicate with his own Democratic Congress Party (DCP).
Gachagua's remarks came amid national mourning following Odinga's death on October 15, 2025, from a heart attack in India at age 80.
The veteran opposition leader, who served as prime minister from 2008 to 2013, shaped Kenya's multiparty democracy through decades of activism, including multiple imprisonments under past regimes.
His passing triggered widespread tributes, with President William Ruto calling him a champion of justice and equity.
Gachagua stated, "As we mourn Raila Odinga, I must admit that I deeply admire him for building a strong and resilient political party called ODM. Even though he was never elected President, he remained part of every government, influencing key decisions and shaping the nation's direction."
He added that his goal for 2027 is to secure 140 DCP legislators for similar bargaining power, drawing from Odinga's "handshake" alliances and broad-based politics.
ODM Communications Director Philip Etale fired back sharply on X, urging Gachagua to let Odinga rest in peace.
Etale wrote, "Rigathi please let Raila Odinga rest in peace. He was not of your ilk. He was sedulous and callow by nature and never harangued anyone to be noticed. He built ODM through hard work, resilience and dedication to the nation and not a community."
He accused Gachagua of past hatred, referencing threats to "sort him out" and efforts to heckle Odinga at a 2023 funeral in Kinangop.
Etale continued, "Just admire him in death because in life, you hated him to the point of even declaring how you can 'sort him out' once and for all. I was seated right behind him during the funeral of Mama Mukami Kimathi in Kinangop and saw everything you did to try and have him heckled."
He dismissed Gachagua's praise as insincere, saying, "You hated Raila Odinga in life and you are free to now like him in death. Say this to the birds."
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