The absence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from the State funeral and burial of the late Raila Odinga has sparked considerable debate. Gachagua revealed that alleged security threats were the primary reason for his non-attendance. But what exactly led to this decision? Let's delve deeper.
During an interview on iNooro TV, Gachagua expressed his admiration for the late former Prime Minister, calling him "a very important state leader." He specifically lauded Raila's political resilience and the organizational prowess of his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party. Gachagua even stated, "I would like to create a strong political party like ODM..." This statement underscores his respect for Raila's political legacy.
He further explained that he admired how Raila selected experienced leaders to represent his party.
Here's where it gets controversial... Gachagua claimed that he was warned of a plot to harm him, even though he was prepared to attend the national funeral service at Nyayo National Stadium. He alleged that certain government officials had previously planned to assassinate him, and that earlier threats and attacks against him had not been investigated. He cited specific instances, including an alleged plot in Limuru and an incident in PCA Mwiki. He stated, "The government had sent some hitmen to Limuru to kill me, and until today, they have not been arrested."
Furthermore, Gachagua mentioned that some police officers advised him not to attend the funeral, fearing that an attack on him could be blamed on people from the Nyanza region, potentially triggering animosity between the Gikuyu and Luo communities. "Some police told me not to go because the government had planned to use some officers in civilian clothing to attack me..." he explained.
He also canceled a planned visit to Bondo, claiming that senior government officials had arranged a similar plan to attack him there. Gachagua stated, "I know President Ruto's administration very well, and I could not have allowed myself to fall into his trap."
And this is the part most people miss... Gachagua added that even without security threats, he would not have attended the ceremony due to what he perceived as insincere displays of admiration for Raila. He criticized President Ruto and other government officials for pretending to admire Raila despite their previous criticisms. He highlighted Kalonzo Musyoka as the only person who spoke truthfully at the burial, having worked closely with Raila for 15 years. Gachagua's statement, "Even if there were no threats, the lies told at the funeral State I couldn't condone," reflects his strong feelings on the matter.
This situation raises several questions: Do you believe Gachagua's claims of security threats and government plots? Do you think his absence was justified, or should he have attended despite his concerns? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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