Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken candidly about the two key qualities he deeply admired in the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as a visionary leader who built one of Kenya’s most formidable political movements.
Speaking during the Ngemi Cia Watho Association Festival in Gatanga Constituency, Murang’a County, on Saturday night, November 1, 2025, Gachagua who now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) reflected on Raila’s enduring political influence and organizational strength.
“As we mourn Raila Odinga, I must say two things about that great man that truly touched me,” Gachagua remarked. “Look at the political party he built ODM a strong and well-structured party. Even though he never became president, he was always able to influence every government and secure what he needed because he had a solid political foundation.”
Raila’s Strength in Building a Powerful Political Machine
Gachagua praised Raila for creating a political institution that outlasted election cycles and shaped national discourse for decades. According to him, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) gave Raila immense negotiating power and made him a central figure in every major political realignment.
The former Deputy President noted that Raila’s ability to attract brilliant minds, particularly in the legal profession, was another hallmark of his leadership.
“If you look at Raila’s team, most of his legislators are top-notch lawyers people like James Orengo, the late Otieno Kajwang, Caroli Omondi, Peter Kaluma, Edwin Sifuna, Stewart Madzayo, Millie Odhiambo, Tom Ojienda, Mohammed Faki, and Babu Owino. These are the people who protected Raila for over 30 years,” he said.
Gachagua humorously contrasted this with his own political base, lamenting that Mt. Kenya leaders lacked a similar bench of intellectual and legal heavyweights.
“My people, your leader is in trouble you’ve given me Wamatinga and Wamakeki, while Raila had an army of lawyers,” he quipped.
A Call for Mt. Kenya to Learn from Raila’s Strategy
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Gachagua urged the Mt. Kenya region to adopt Raila’s strategy by empowering professionals especially lawyers to seek elective office.
“I’m asking you to give me 40 lawyers,” Gachagua said, emphasizing that the region must stop relying solely on voters and start nurturing leaders capable of shaping policy and legislation.
He lamented that many educated individuals from the region shy away from politics, leaving leadership in the hands of those less prepared to defend the community’s interests.
“Our elites must stop voting and walking away. Leadership requires courage and expertise something Raila understood and built around,” he added.
Gachagua’s remarks blending admiration, reflection, and political strategy highlighted the deep respect even his political rivals held for Raila Odinga’s organizational genius and his enduring impact on Kenya’s democratic landscape.
