After mounting public concerns and criticism on Gachagua Ragathi, one of his close allies has addressed the former Deputy President’s absence during Raila Odinga’s farewell Ceremony in Nyayo Stadium.
In a statement on October 18, 2025, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa clarified that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s absence from Raila Odinga’s farewell ceremony was a deliberate act of respect and statesmanship, not defiance or indifference.
Gachagua Deliberately Avoided the Farewell
According to Senator Thang’wa, Gachagua’s absence was a conscious show of emotional intelligence and statesmanship.
“His absence from Baba’s farewell was not an act of defiance, weakness, or guilt,” he wrote.
“It was a deliberate show of statesmanship, emotional intelligence, and deep respect for a moment that was bigger than politics.”
The senator described Gachagua as a leader whose influence extends beyond physical presence.
“He is a voice for ordinary Kenyans, a guardian of their hopes and aspirations,” he said, noting that even in silence, the former Deputy President commands national attention.
Thang’wa explained that Gachagua understood that attending the ceremony could have diverted attention from Raila’s farewell to political interpretations.
“He knows that his presence alone would have changed the tone of the day, shifting the focus from Raila Odinga’s legacy to endless political speculation,” he added.
Respect Over Public Optics
Senator Thang’wa said Gachagua’s decision reflected reverence for Raila rather than indifference.
“His absence was not indifference. It was reverence,” he said, emphasizing that Gachagua has worked with Raila in different political moments marked by both partnership and disagreement.
Also Read: Obama Bows to Pressure, Mourns Raila with Glowing Tribute
He revealed that the former Deputy President plans to honour Raila privately by visiting his final resting place in Bondo.
“When the right time comes, he will honour Raila, not before a sea of cameras, but in a deeply personal and respectful way, by laying a wreath at his resting place,” Thang’wa stated.
Quiet Leadership and National Significance
The senator highlighted that the public debate around Gachagua’s absence only demonstrated his political weight.
“The fact that the country spent more time discussing who was not at Nyayo Stadium than who was present is proof of the Deputy President’s national significance,” Thang’wa observed.
He concluded by describing Gachagua’s silence as a mark of wisdom and restraint.
“Leadership is not measured by how loudly one speaks or how often one appears,” Thang’wa wrote.
“Sometimes silence is not absence. Sometimes, it is leadership.”
Also Read: Current and Former Presidents Attending Raila’s State Funeral Service
Reacting to the post, Kenyans dismissed the justification, claiming that the move is not ‘wise’ as termed since Raila never feared hostile crowds and he attended Mt. Kenya’s Key events even in the toughest political times.
“Gachagua needs to see himself beyond Murima. He wasn’t going to be given a chance to address the mourners. Raila has never feared hostile crowds. He would always attend key events kwa murima, even in tough political times. A key example is the Mukami Kimathi burial,” reacted @Ngala987 a Kenyan citizen.
Others criticized him, saying he was going to bring about misunderstandings and divisions among Kenyan communities.
“Gachagua’s abstention now makes the Luo nation view him as an enemy; it was not a wise move, that one,” said @Biiz.
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