Raila Odinga Rebukes Gachagua over Threats to Dethrone Ruto: "Mambo Ya Ujinga"
- Raila Odinga criticised former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua for his early 2027 campaign rhetoric, urging him to accept the 2022 outcome and respect democratic processes
- Speaking in Kilifi county, Raila condemned Gachagua’s push to unseat President William Ruto before serving two terms
- The ODM leader also denounced Gachagua’s past remarks on government ‘shareholding’, calling them divisive, discriminatory, and unfit for a democratic society
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
It was not only a moment of mourning but also one of reflection on Kenya's political direction during a burial service attended by top leaders in Kilifi.
Source: UGC
ODM leader Raila Odinga called out former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua for his persistent calls to make William Ruto a one-term president.
Raila was speaking in Dabaso, where he had joined Ruto and other mourners at the home of Governor Gideon Mung'aro, who lost his father, Gideon Mung'aro Senior.
Raila criticised Gachagua for what he described as premature and relentless campaigns aimed at unseating Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
What did Raila tell Gachagua on unseating Ruto?
He questioned why Gachagua was traversing the country on political missions barely two and a half years into Ruto’s presidency.
He urged Gachagua to accept the outcome of the 2022 elections and wait for the appropriate time to declare his ambitions, in line with democratic norms practised globally.
“If elections are over, you accept and wait for the next wave. Then throw yourself in the ring, conduct campaigns like it is done in other countries. For instance, in America, politicians wait until the end of the third year to announce whether or not they will vie,” Raila said.
The former prime minister maintained that the power to decide who leads the country rests with the people, not individuals driven by personal interests.
“This issue of saying you want to remove people from power ... It is Kenyans who will decide, not you,” he added.
Source: Facebook
Raila also revisited Gachagua’s controversial ‘shareholding’ remarks made during his time as deputy president, in which he claimed that government benefits should be allocated based on political loyalty.
Raila dismissed the idea as backwards and dangerous to national unity.
“Telling people that some have shares, others small shares, and some no shares at all — what kind of country is that? Yet all Kenyans are paying taxes. That is foolish. We want a united Kenya. We may be divided in policies or ideas, but we must be united as a nation,” Raila asserted.
Is ousting Ruto the opposition’s main 2027 goal?
In a related development, Gachagua declared that removing Ruto from office in 2027 had become the opposition’s central objective.
Gachagua, who has recently become increasingly vocal against the Kenya Kwanza administration, maintained that unseating Ruto after just one term is the only path to what he termed as national renewal.
Gachagua revealed that he had held discussions with other opposition leaders aimed at forging a united presidential front.
He indicated that these unity talks were part of a broader plan to form a grand coalition to challenge Ruto’s re-election bid.
When will Gachagua officially launch his party?
The former deputy president is set to officially launch his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) on Monday, July 7, at a venue to be confirmed on a later date.
Preliminary information suggests Gachagua and his team are considering a venue in either Kajiado or Narok county after being denied permission to use the Kasarani Stadium's Indoor Arena.
Gachagua had planned to host the launch on June 4, but was forced to cancel the plan after failing to secure the venue.
The government, through Sports Kenya, said the venue had been booked in advance for the upcoming Africa Championship games slated for August 2025.
The DCP leadership had to go back to the drawing board to secure an alternative venue for its supporters.
Last week, Gachagua toured Kajiado and Narok in preparation for the upcoming event.
Other opposition leaders include Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Martha Karua (PLP), and Fred Matiang'i are expected to attend.
Masolo Mabonga, HOD Current Affairs and Politics, updated this article with details on Gachagua planned party launch.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
