- Democracy Centre Party leader Rigathi Gachagua said a pre-planned trip to the United States prevented him from attending the first anniversary of the late Raila Odinga's death
- Gachagua thanked Ida Odinga for the invitation and described Raila as 'the father of our democracy and defender of the rights of Kenyans'
- The former deputy president turned his statement into a sharp attack on politicians he accused of praising Raila while having previously mocked and demeaned him
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has explained his absence from the first anniversary commemoration of the late Raila Odinga's death, saying a pre-arranged programme in the United States made attendance impossible despite receiving an invitation from the family.
In a written statement, the former deputy president thanked Ida Odinga, Raila's widow, for extending the invitation and described the opposition veteran as "the father of our democracy and defender of the rights of Kenyans."
Gachagua Points to Earlier Tribute
Rather than apologise for his absence, Gachagua directed attention to remarks he had already made in Raila's honour during the latter's campaign launch as a candidate for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
He said those words were sincere and came from a genuine place.
"I am a firm believer in giving a man his flowers when he is alive and hearing," he said.
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He contrasted that stance with what he characterised as hollow tribute from political figures who had spent years vilifying Raila.
According to Gachagua, some of the same people now honouring Raila's memory had previously branded him a witch doctor, referred to him as "mchawi" and "mganga", and ridiculed him as the man who uprooted the railway line and as "the lord of poverty."
"I abhor pretenders and those who shed crocodile tears in the greatest pretexts of political conmanships," Gachagua said.
ODM's Decline and Raila's Legacy
Gachagua used the occasion to draw a parallel between Raila's political legacy and his own efforts to build the DCP.
He credited the late leader with cultivating a strong party culture and encouraging supporters to elect capable legislators, saying he aspired to replicate that model.
He added that he had urged DCP members and Kenyans broadly to reject "tugeges," a term he applied to weak or unqualified candidates.
The DCP leader reserved pointed criticism for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party Raila led for many years, suggesting those now heaping praise on the late leader had themselves contributed to the erosion of his most enduring achievement.
"It is a pity, just one year after his death, that his greatest legacy the ODM party is now a pale shadow of its former self," Gachagua said.
He further suggested that individuals who "sold ODM to Baba's traitor" lacked the moral standing to appear at the anniversary, though he stopped short of identifying anyone by name.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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