The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has banned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from stepping into Bondo.
Vice Chair of ODM in Kisumu expressed the party’s position on October 22, stating that this was in alignment with statements from ODM Chair Governor Gladys Wanga and local members of parliament.
“As the vice chair of ODM in this region, I want to associate my sentiments with the statements made by my chair, Governor Gladys Wanga and the colleagues, members of parliament,” he said.
He urged ODM members to remain calm and composed.
“As ODM members in this region, we want to urge our members to stay calm as we approach this issue in a sober mind.”
The warning comes after reports that Gachagua and his team planned to pay homage at the home of Raila.
“We heard yesterday that Gachagua and his team were supposed to pay homage to the home of Raila Mulu Dinka. We urge Gachagua, never, never, don’t, don’t step, don’t step in Bondo,” the ODM vice chair said, adding that Gachagua’s previous statements were “not very, very friendly to us as ODM.”
Gladys Wanga on Gachagua
Gladys Wanga suggested that Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga was not speaking independently but rather amplifying Gachagua’s sentiments.
“As far as I can tell, Kahiga doesn’t speak on his own. He acts as the voice of Rigathi Gachagua,” Wanga asserted.
She went on to accuse Gachagua of making distasteful remarks about Raila Odinga’s health, recalling comments in which he allegedly asked whether Raila was a virus and Kalonzo a bacterium.
“To this day, Gachagua has not mourned Raila, yet Raila rose above political differences and personally paid tribute to Gachagua’s late brother, Nderitu Gachagua,” she noted.
This backlash came after Governor Kahiga, in a speech delivered Tuesday, appeared to suggest that Raila’s passing would result in development funds previously channeled to the Nyanza region being redirected back to Mount Kenya.
His remarks were widely criticized as insensitive and disrespectful.
Governor Wanga declared that her party, ODM, would disassociate from anyone aligned with Gachagua, including Kahiga, regardless of their political affiliations.
Kahiga resigns from Council of Governors leadership
Following mounting public pressure, Governor Kahiga announced on Wednesday, October 22, that he was stepping down from his role as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors.
Addressing the media, Kahiga acknowledged the outcry over a viral video in which he was seen to be making light of Raila Odinga’s death.
“Given the intense public reaction and the various interpretations of my words, I have chosen to take full responsibility. Effective immediately, I resign from my position as Vice Chair of the Council of Governors,” Kahiga said.
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Gladys Wanga??
Riggy G came and gave respects and ignored you..
Bitter Gladys!!