Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga has fiercely criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his recent remarks regarding the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Wednesday during a development tour at Nyakiamo Stadium, the Homa Bay governor urged Gachagua to show respect for the late opposition icon and stop mocking the Luo community. Wanga warned the Democracy and Progressive Party (DCP) leader to keep the former ODM leader’s name out of his political campaigns and instead focus his energy on building his own party. She recalled Gachagua’s intense hostility toward Odinga during his lifetime, pointing to his vocal backing of aggressive state measures against the former opposition leader during anti-government demonstrations.
“Leave Baba Raila Amolo Odinga alone to rest in peace in heaven. We have not forgotten that one day you woke up at 5:00 AM and said that if Raila goes to protests, you yourself will kill him. That day, Baba’s car was hit by ten bullets! They almost killed him. You, Gachagua, said Baba must be sent back to Bondo. That it was the only job you had left,” said Wanga.
The ODM chairperson noted that the former deputy president has never extended condolences to the bereaved family following their patriarch’s passing.
“You have never set foot where Baba Raila Amolo Odinga is buried. You have never set foot in Karen to offer your condolences to Mama Ida Odinga. But every day, ever since Baba was laid to rest, you wake up every single day with rumors, chaos, lies, malice, reckless statements, careless statements, useless statements, in the name of Baba Raila Amolo Odinga! We want to tell you Gachagua, do your politics without touching the name of Baba Raila Amolo Odinga!” she added.
Wanga’s fiery response followed Gachagua’s press address on Tuesday, where he evaluated the performance of the Kenya Kwanza administration. During that address, Gachagua raised sharp questions surrounding the recent deaths of Raila Odinga, Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, and Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno – all of which occurred within the past four years.
Specifically, Gachagua targeted the circumstances of Odinga’s passing, implying irregularities in his medical oversight and pointing to funeral arrangements that he claimed breached Luo cultural traditions.
Dismissing these comments as reckless and dangerous incitement, Wanga declared that the country must not tolerate such political rhetoric. She firmly shut the door on any potential political partnership between ODM and Gachagua ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that his brand of politics breeds division and exclusion.
Looking ahead to the next election cycle, the governor asserted that ODM will compete from a position of strength and expressed total confidence in the party’s ability to secure seats nationwide.
