Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has finally broken his silence on why he did not attend the late Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s funeral and burial in Bondo, citing security concerns.
Speaking on Wednesday night during an interview on Ramogi TV, the former DP revealed that he had planned to attend Odinga’s state funeral at Nyayo Stadium but received intelligence that armed group had been organized to attack him.
He claimed that that the planned attack intended to incite conflict between the Luo and Kikuyu communities.
“I had planned to go to the Nyayo National Stadium, and I got information that some goons had been arranged to attack me so that it could create conflict between the Luo nation and the Kikuyu nation,” he claimed.
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader further stated that Raila Odinga’s funeral was a solemn and important occasion for his supporters, and given the strained political relationship he had with Odinga, there was no need for him to attend.
“I applied my mind as a senior politician and as a strategist, and I realised that it was a very important occasion for Raila Odinga and his followers,” he said.
“It would have been imprudent of me to seem like I had brought chaos into a very solemn ceremony that was very important,” he added.
On why he did not visit Bondo after Odinga’s burial, Rigathi Gachagua cited similar security concerns, saying he had received intelligence about planned attacks.
“I planned to go to Bondo. I also got information that in Bondo there were plans to attack me physically as a strategy to create a wedge between the Luo nation and the Kikuyu nation,” he claimed.
“What would have happened if I were attacked in Bondo, the Kikuyu nation would’ve felt very bad, and this would’ve created enmity with the Luo nation, who have nothing against me,” he said.
Rigathi Gachagua, however, noted that he and his wife, Dorcas, reached out to Ida Odinga to convey their condolences and requested permission for a visit, but were asked to wait until the situation had quietened down.
