Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi has fired back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his recent comments claiming Raila Odinga is now politically irrelevant.
Speaking during a women’s empowerment event in Migori on Sunday, July 12, 2025, Wandayi expressed outrage at Gachagua’s remarks, which were made while addressing Kenyans in Seattle, Washington State. Gachagua had dismissed Raila’s call for a national dialogue and suggested that the ODM leader was out of touch with the current political reality.
Wandayi, clearly angered by the comments, questioned Gachagua’s audacity to insult both Raila and President William Ruto while abroad.
“Nilikasirika sana juzi nilipotazama yule jamaa alitimuliwa kama naibu wa rais, ati anaenda nchi ya Marekani anaenda kutoa matusi kwa Baba na kwa Ruto. Ati anasema Baba amepoteza umaarufu. Ata katika hii Nyanza yetu hii, ata katika hii Rongo.”
Translation: I was very angry the other day when I saw that man who was removed as deputy president going to America to insult Baba and Ruto. He claimed Baba has lost popularity—even here in our Nyanza, even here in Rongo.
Wandayi warns of shock
He continued with a direct warning to Gachagua, saying that Raila is not someone to be taken lightly.
“Nataka nieleze Bwana Wamunyoro, ya kwamba… ile political shock ambayo itamgonga Baba anafanya press-ups kule Aberdare Forests. Atajua hajui. Hawezi kuwa na madharau kwa kila mtu.”
Translation: I want to tell Mr Wamunyoro that the political shock coming will hit so hard, Baba is already doing press-ups in the Aberdare Forests. He will learn that he doesn’t know. He can’t go around disrespecting everyone.
Wandayi’s response follows Gachagua’s Seattle speech where he labelled Raila a serial opportunist who tries to insert himself into every government, without taking responsibility when things go wrong.
But in Migori, Wandayi insisted that Raila’s legacy and relevance are beyond question and said the former Prime Minister remains a central figure in Kenya’s political future. The sharp exchange reflects growing political tensions as the country edges closer to the 2027 elections, with new alliances forming and old rivalries reigniting.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
