- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has said he missed attending Raila Odinga’s funeral after receiving sensitive intelligence information
- Gachagua said he had planned to attend the event at Nyayo National Stadium and also Bondo, but decided not to go after assessing the situation
- The DCP leader said instead he privately contacted Ida Odinga to express his condolences, adding that he is still waiting for the family’s approval before making any visit.
Former vice president Rigathi Gachagua he has finally broken his silence about his non-attendance at the funeral of former prime minister Raila Odinga.
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Source: Twitter
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The former member of parliament cited security threats and respect for family rituals as the main reasons why he could not attend the high-profile event.
Why did Gachagua miss Raila’s funeral?
During an interview on Ramogi TV on Wednesday, March 25, Gachagua said he had previously planned to attend the national funeral service held at Nyayo National Stadium as well as the funeral there Bondo.
However, the former second-in-command in the government claimed that intelligence reports warned of a plot to attack him during the events.
According to the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), the alleged plan was aimed at creating ethnic tensions between different communities.
“It is true, I sent my condolences to the late Raila Odinga and I had planned to go to Nyayo Stadium and I got information that some hooligans had planned to attack me to create a conflict between the Luo community and the Kikuyu community,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president explained that after assessing the situation, he decided to stay away to avoid disturbing what he described as an event of great honor and importance for Raila’s family and supporters.
“I used discretion as a senior politician, as a strategist and I realized that it was a very important event for Raila Odinga and his supporters and it would not be wise to be seen as having brought violence to a ceremony of honor that was very important,” he explained.
Gachagua also claimed that similar threats spread to Bondo, where the former ODM leader was buried.
He claimed that there were plans to physically attack him as soon as he arrived, which he believed would cause further tensions.
Gachagua related the alleged incidents to previous violence he says he has experienced in Nairobi, including attacks in Kariobangi, Mwiki, and near the airport.
He claimed that the people behind the events were also involved in the funeral plot, although he did not testify publicly during the interview.
Did Gachagua contact Raila Odinga’s family?
Despite his absence, Gachagua insisted that he contacted Odinga’s family privately, revealing that he called him personally Ida Odinga to offer his condolences.
“I called Mama Ida Odinga and offered my personal condolences, myself and Pastor Dorcas and we submitted a request that we would like to go to Bondo,” Gachagua said.
According to him, the family asked for more time before receiving him, adding that he decided to respect the decision.
“He told us that things were still serious and at the right time he will give us an answer. We are still waiting and if the family says, I was actually already with my elders and everyone, but you cannot go to someone’s house without the owner saying come,” he explained.
Source: Facebook
Gachagua dismissed claims that he was prevented from reaching the family, explaining that his absence even months after the funeral was due to respecting the wishes of the family.
“He told us to wait and we are waiting. You cannot force yourself in someone’s house. I am old, I am a leader in this country. I am also a person who respects family, home and traditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the former vice president insisted that he is still ready to visit Odinga’s final resting place if he is given permission by the family.
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