Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused some Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders of weakening the party and undermining the political legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), said ODM had become a shadow of its former self barely a year after Raila’s death, blaming unnamed individuals for what he described as the party’s decline.
In a statement marking the first anniversary of Raila’s death, the former Deputy President expressed disappointment over the state of ODM, which he described as one of the late opposition leader’s greatest political legacies.
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“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.
Gachagua also questioned the sincerity of some politicians who have recently praised Raila, arguing that certain leaders had previously used derogatory language against the former Prime Minister.
He cited descriptions such as “mchawi”, “mganga” and “mtu ya kung’oa reli”, saying the remarks contrasted with the tributes being made following Raila’s death.
The DCP leader maintained that political leaders should recognise one another’s contributions while they are still alive rather than wait until after their deaths to celebrate them.
“I am a firm believer in giving a man his flowers when he is alive and hearing,” he said, adding that he opposed what he described as political pretence and insincere tributes.
His remarks placed renewed focus on the political rivalries and shifting relationships that have shaped Kenya’s political landscape.
Despite his criticism of ODM’s current leadership, Gachagua praised Raila’s ability to build a strong political party and encourage voters to elect capable legislators.
He said these were lessons he hoped to apply as he develops DCP into a major political movement.
The former Deputy President said he was working to establish a party capable of influencing Kenya’s political direction for years to come.
“I am doing my very best in following his footsteps in 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, arguing that the country needed representatives capable of advancing the interests of their constituents.
Gachagua’s remarks came as he explained why he did not attend the first-anniversary commemoration of Raila’s death despite receiving an invitation from Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga.
He said he was unable to attend because he was in the United States on a previously scheduled programme.
The former Deputy President also accused unnamed politicians of selling out ODM, claiming their actions had contributed to the party’s weakening and the erosion of Raila’s political legacy.
However, he did not identify the individuals he accused or provide further details in the statement.
Gachagua’s criticism comes amid continuing political realignments as leaders and parties position themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
His comments highlight the importance of party organisation, leadership and the ability to maintain political support beyond the influence of individual leaders.
For ODM, a party built around Raila’s decades-long political career, questions about its leadership and future direction remain central to discussions about the movement’s legacy.
Gachagua, meanwhile, is seeking to build DCP into a competitive political force, drawing lessons from Raila’s party-building approach as he pursues his own political ambitions.
His assessment of ODM’s condition remains his own political position, and the individuals he accused of undermining the party were not named in the statement.
