Gachagua Claims State Wanted to Assassinate Him at Raila’s Funeral
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that he skipped both the State Funeral service and subsequent burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga after receiving intelligence warnings of a plot to assassinate him.
Speaking in an interview aired on Inooro TV on Sunday, November 16, Gachagua claimed senior government officials and covert police units had devised a plan to attack him at Nyayo Stadium and later in Bondo, where the ODM leader was laid to rest.
Gachagua insisted he had fully intended to attend the national farewell at Nyayo National Stadium but backed out at the last minute following what he described as credible security alerts.
“I was very prepared to go to the national stadium,” he said. “But some police told me not to go because the government had planned to use some officers, dressed as civilians, to attack me so that it may be said that people from the Nyanza region attacked me. After I knew that, I said I cannot risk it.”
According to the former Deputy President, the warnings intensified after he declared he would travel to Bondo for the late opposition chief’s burial. He claimed a senior Interior Ministry official orchestrated a similar plan aimed at provoking ethnic hostilities.
“I then said I would go to Bondo, and the official had arranged the same plan so that they could attack and kill me to trigger enmity between our communities,” he alleged. “I know President Ruto’s administration very well.”
Despite his claims, Gachagua revealed he still intends to travel to Raila Odinga’s rural home in early December to pay his last respects. He said consultations had already taken place with both the Odinga family and elders from the Mount Kenya region, who have approved the visit.
He added that he will lead a delegation consisting of elders, church leaders and community representatives to Bondo after the upcoming by-elections.
“We were never friends with Raila, and we never listened to each other, but it was nothing personal — it was all about politics,” Gachagua said. “Our elders have told me it is good to also look for friends from Raila’s community, and it is okay to lead a delegation to Bondo.”
Gachagua further disclosed that he had spoken to Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, to secure an appropriate date for the visit.
“I have already talked to Winnie Odinga, and I told them to give me a chance to finish the Mbeere by-election and give me a day in the first week of December so that I may go there with a delegation from our region, apologise to the family and also build ties with our brothers from the Nyanza region,” he said.
The former Deputy President also used the interview to criticise President William Ruto and senior state officials, accusing them of “lying” about their admiration for Raila Odinga during the burial ceremonies.
“The lies that were there, I just can’t handle them,” Gachagua said. “Ruto and other government officials lied about how they liked Raila, and yet they did not. The only person who spoke the truth in that burial was Kalonzo, because he had stayed with him for 15 years.”
Reflecting on Raila’s political legacy, Gachagua said he was now working to strengthen his Democratic Change Party (DCP) to match the national influence once commanded by the ODM leader.
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Gachagua Claims State Wanted to Assassinate Him at Raila’s Funeral
