Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has firmly ruled out the possibility of working with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, despite calls for a united front against President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking in Wajir County on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Raila dismissed overtures from Gachagua, citing a history of political traps and betrayals.
Raila, the longtime leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been on a nationwide consultative tour, gauging grassroots support before making a definitive stance on whether to join the opposition or align with President Ruto.
However, his latest remarks in Wajir suggest he has no intention of partnering with Gachagua, who has been urging him to resume an active opposition role.
Speaking in Wajir, Raila recalled how Gachagua, during the early days of Ruto’s presidency in September 2022, openly bragged about setting up traps to prevent him from negotiating a potential deal with the new government.
Addressing local leaders in Wajir, Raila questioned whether he could trust someone who had actively worked to undermine him.
“Sasa mimi ningeuliza nyinyi tufanye vipi. Tumeona jamaa ingine alikua anasema ati ameweka mtego. Si alikua ameweka mtego? Alikua anaweka mtego, kila mahali alikua ameweka mtego hakuna kitu ya kupita, hakuna mambo ya handshake, hakuna mambo ya nusu mkati. Si alisema namna hio? Sasa munataka tuende kwa jamaa mwenye mtego? Tuongee na mwenye mtego?” Raila asked the gathered ODM leadership. The crowd responded with a resounding “No.”
The former prime minister recounted how he had managed to navigate Gachagua’s political manoeuvres and still found his way to State House.
He reflected on a pivotal moment when he was invited to address East African heads of state at State House, Nairobi, while Gachagua had attempted to block his access to President Ruto.
“… muliona kule kwa State House wakati ambayo Ruto ameleta maraisi, Museveni yuko pale. Suluhu yuko hapo, Salva Kiir iko pale… watu wote walifika State House. Mimi nilialikwa pale niende niongee na wao. Na ule ambaye anaambiwa atoe salamu mwisho ilikua ni ule ambaye mwenye mtego. Alikua amesema ameweka mtego ati Baba hawezi kuingia huko, si Baba aliingia,” Raila said with a chuckle.
To cement his position, Raila sought a show of hands from the Wajir gathering, asking whether he should engage with Gachagua.
The overwhelming response was against such an alliance with the former deputy president.
“Si munasema tusiende uko [kwa Gachagua]? Munasema namna hio? Munasema namna hio? Tuangalie mbele? Tuangalie mbele? Wangapi wanasema namna hio nione kwa mkono? As many of that opinion say I. As many contrary opinions say Ney. Wale ambao wanaunga mkono nione kwa mkono. Ahh asanteni sana, the I’s have it,” Raila declared.
For weeks, Gachagua and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have pushed for Raila to rejoin the opposition and challenge Ruto’s government.
However, following the Wajir consultation, it is increasingly clear that Raila has chosen to maintain his current trajectory – one that suggests alignment with President Ruto rather than his former opposition allies.
With the 2027 general election looming, Raila’s position will shape the country’s political landscape.
The ODM leader commands a loyal voter base across Nyanza, Western, Nairobi, and the Coast – regions that have consistently supported him in presidential elections from 2007 to 2022.
With Raila’s endorsement, Ruto’s re-election bid could face significantly less resistance.
Whether Raila formally aligns with Ruto or remains an independent force will be a defining question in the evolving political drama.
Martin Oduor
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