Gachagua accuses ODM leaders of destroying Raila’s legacy

Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), said ODM had become a shadow of its former self, blaming unnamed individuals he accused of betraying Raila and weakening the political movement he built over decades.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. FILE| PHOTO

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused leaders within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of undermining the political legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, claiming the party has weakened barely a year after his death.

Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), said ODM had become a shadow of its former self, blaming unnamed individuals he accused of betraying Raila and weakening the political movement he built over decades.

In a statement marking the first anniversary of Raila’s death, Gachagua said he was saddened by what he described as the decline of ODM, arguing that the party had been one of the former Prime Minister’s greatest political legacies.

“It is a pity, just one year after his death, that his greatest legacy the ODM party is a now a pale shadow of it’s former self,” he said.

Gachagua also questioned the sincerity of politicians who have recently praised Raila, accusing some of having previously used derogatory remarks against the former Prime Minister.

He cited past descriptions of Raila as “mchawi”, “mganga” and “mtu ya kung’oa reli”, arguing that some of those now celebrating his legacy had previously demeaned him.

The DCP leader said he believed political leaders should recognise and appreciate one another while they were still alive, rather than wait until after their deaths to praise them.

“I am a firm believer in giving a man his flowers when he is alive and hearing,” he said, adding that he abhorred what he described as political pretence and insincere tributes.

Gachagua, however, praised Raila’s ability to build a strong political party and encourage voters to elect quality legislators, saying these were lessons he was seeking to apply as he develops DCP.

He said he was working to build the party into a formidable political movement that would remain central to Kenya’s political discussions for years to come.

“I am doing my very best in following his footsteps is building DCP into a formidable political movement that will be at the centre of every political conversation in Kenya for many years to come,” Gachagua said.

He also urged DCP members and Kenyans to elect quality legislators, saying the country needed leaders capable of representing the interests of their constituents.

Gachagua’s remarks came as he explained his absence from the first-anniversary event after receiving an invitation from Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga.

He said he was unable to attend the commemoration because he was in the United States on a previously scheduled programme.

Gachagua also accused unnamed politicians of having sold out ODM, claiming they had contributed to the weakening of the party and the erosion of Raila’s political legacy. He did not identify the individuals he accused in the statement.