AfriPulse
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he is following in the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s political footsteps to ensure he emerges victorious against President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking on Saturday, November 1, Gachagua praised the former prime minister as a political master who always found a way of winning even when on the brink of defeat, saying that he is also in the process of reinforcing his party to enable him to reach a similar level.
Additionally, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader praised other leaders, Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, and James Orengo, among others, for being at the forefront of shielding Raila and his party.
Gachagua, who acknowledged that he is yet to match Raila’s political prowess, noted that Raila has left a void in the country’s political arena, which will be hard to fill.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a church service in Ongata Rongai on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Photo
Rigathi Gachagua
“As we mourn Raila Odinga, I must admit that I admire two things about that old man because I’m really inspired by the political party that he built. Look at the political party that he built, ODM, so that, though he has never been elected into government, he has always managed to be inside government,” Gachagua said.
“If you look at the people who surrounded him, they were top-notch lawyers; these are people who protected him for 30 years. These include James Orengo, Otieno Kajwang, Peter Kaluma, Edwin Sifuna, and Babu Owino, among others; they are great minds,” he added.
Gachagua further said he is in the process of recruiting 100 legislators who will offer the same legal and political protection that Raila’s team provided him.
“My people, your leader is a leader; he has no foot soldiers. You have given him small people, yet we have great might. I’m looking for 140 legislators to protect me and the DCP,” Gachagua said.
Raila died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk on Wednesday, October 15, in India, while he was undergoing treatment.
In his message, Gachagua remembered him as a selfless individual who was always at the vanguard in the fight for Kenya’s liberation and democracy.
According to Gachagua, despite their political differences, he will always be amazed by Raila’s art of forming and sustaining a strong political party that survived four general elections.
“You dedicated your life to the service of humanity as a political activist, a Civil Servant, a University Lecturer, an MP, a Party Leader, a Cabinet Minister, a Prime Minister, and many other things. On all these, your trail of success and impact remains indelible,” Gachagua said.
A portrait of the late Raila Odinga near his coffin during the funeral service at JOUST University grounds on October 19, 2025.
PCS
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
