Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a fresh political broadside against leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), accusing them of undermining the legacy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga barely a year after his death.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), argues that ODM is losing the political stature it acquired under Raila’s leadership, blaming unnamed politicians for weakening the party and betraying the principles associated with its founder.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 15, to coincide with the first anniversary of Raila’s death, Gachagua questioned the sincerity of politicians who have recently celebrated the veteran opposition leader despite having previously subjected him to harsh criticism.
He accused some of those now paying tribute to Raila of having used derogatory descriptions against him while he was alive, only to change their tone after his death.
The former deputy president maintained that political leaders should recognise the contributions of their rivals during their lifetimes rather than wait until they are gone to publicly celebrate them.
“I am a firm believer in giving a man his flowers when he is alive and hearing,” Gachagua said, criticising what he described as insincere political tributes.
His remarks have added a new dimension to the growing debate over who should preserve Raila’s political legacy, with the future of ODM emerging as a major issue in the political realignments taking shape ahead of the 2027 elections.
ODM at the centre of the dispute
Gachagua reserved his strongest criticism for ODM, the party Raila led for more than two decades and which became one of Kenya’s most influential political movements.
He expressed disappointment that the party had weakened so soon after the departure of the man who built its national following and held together its competing political interests.
“It is a pity, just one year after his death, that his greatest legacy, the ODM party, is now a pale shadow of its former self,” he said.
The DCP leader further accused unnamed individuals of having sold out the Orange party, arguing that their actions had damaged the political organisation Raila spent years building.
He did not identify the politicians he was referring to or provide specific evidence to substantiate the allegations.
Nevertheless, his intervention comes at a sensitive moment for ODM, which is navigating internal disagreements over its leadership, its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration and the political direction it should pursue after Raila’s death.
The party has traditionally relied on Raila’s influence, grassroots mobilisation and ability to bring together different political interests, particularly across Nyanza, Western Kenya, the Coast and parts of Nairobi.
His absence has intensified questions about whether the party can maintain that broad national reach while managing competing interests among its senior officials and elected leaders.
Raila’s death exposes political divisions
Raila died on October 15, 2025, leaving behind a political movement whose identity had been closely associated with his leadership, opposition politics and successive campaigns for democratic reforms.
In the years preceding his death, he remained a central figure in national political negotiations, electoral contests and debates over governance.
His political career included years of opposition to successive administrations, five unsuccessful presidential bids and a prominent role in the push for constitutional reforms that culminated in the 2010 Constitution.
The former Prime Minister also built ODM into a formidable electoral organisation, with a network of elected representatives and grassroots supporters that extended well beyond his traditional political strongholds.
However, his death has exposed differences among his former allies over how the party should position itself in the changing political landscape.
One of the most contentious questions is ODM’s decision to sustain its cooperation with President Ruto following the broad-based government arrangement reached before Raila’s death.
Supporters of the arrangement argue that working with the government offers an opportunity to influence national policy and secure development commitments for their constituencies.
Critics, however, contend that the shift risks weakening ODM’s traditional identity as an opposition party and alienating supporters who viewed Raila as a champion of political accountability.
These competing positions have contributed to tensions within the party, with some leaders advocating continued cooperation with the government while others demand a more independent political direction.
The disagreements have also fuelled a wider contest over who has the strongest claim to Raila’s political ideals and the movement he left behind.
Gachagua seeks to build his own political movement
Beyond his criticism of ODM, Gachagua used the anniversary statement to highlight what he considers one of Raila’s most important political achievements: building a strong party capable of influencing national politics.
He praised the late leader for creating a political organisation that could mobilise supporters and encourage the election of capable representatives.
Gachagua said he was drawing lessons from that model as he seeks to expand DCP into a formidable political force.
The former deputy president has positioned his party as a vehicle for mobilising voters dissatisfied with established political formations and creating an alternative platform ahead of the next general election.
He said he wanted DCP to remain influential in Kenya’s political conversations for years to come, rather than function merely as a vehicle for individual politicians.
He also urged party members and Kenyans to elect legislators who can effectively represent their constituents, warning against choosing leaders he considers lacking in substance or independence.
The remarks suggest that Raila’s legacy is becoming more than a question of remembrance. It is also an increasingly important political reference point for leaders seeking to build their own parties, mobilise supporters and strengthen their positions before the 2027 elections.
For Gachagua, Raila’s experience demonstrates the importance of building a durable political institution with a strong grassroots following and a recognisable national identity.
Why the ODM-Ruto relationship matters
The dispute over ODM’s direction cannot be separated from its evolving relationship with President Ruto.
Before his death, Raila entered into a broad-based government arrangement with the President, marking a significant shift from years of political rivalry.
The arrangement opened the door for cooperation between leaders who had previously occupied opposing sides of the political divide.
Following Raila’s death, the question of whether that partnership should continue has become a major source of disagreement within ODM.
Party leaders supporting the arrangement view engagement with the government as a strategic decision that could deliver political and development benefits while preserving the party’s electoral structures.
Those opposed to the approach fear that ODM could lose its distinct identity if its leadership becomes too closely aligned with the administration it once challenged.
This tension has contributed to the emergence of competing political camps and disagreements over the party’s priorities.
The stakes are particularly high because the 2027 General Election is approaching, with political parties already positioning themselves for alliances, nominations and campaigns.
For ODM, the challenge is to preserve its organisation and electoral strength while deciding how far it should cooperate with the ruling establishment.
For Gachagua and other opposition figures, the divisions present an opportunity to appeal to voters who may feel disconnected from the party’s current direction.
Gachagua explains absence from Raila’s anniversary
Gachagua also addressed his absence from the commemorations marking the first anniversary of Raila’s death, revealing that he had received an invitation from Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga.
He thanked Ida for inviting him but said he was unable to attend because he was in the United States on a previously scheduled programme.
The former deputy president recalled his earlier public remarks during Raila’s inauguration as Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson position, insisting that his praise for the former Prime Minister and his wife had been genuine.
He maintained that his respect for Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s democracy did not depend on political convenience or the circumstances surrounding his death.
His statement combined a tribute to the late opposition leader with criticism of politicians he accused of failing to appreciate Raila while he was alive.
The contrast was central to Gachagua’s message: that Raila’s contribution should be judged not simply by the speeches delivered in his honour, but also by the strength of the political institutions and principles he left behind.
A battle over Raila’s political inheritance
As Kenya approaches another election cycle, the contest over Raila’s legacy is likely to remain a prominent feature of national politics.
The former Prime Minister’s influence extended beyond ODM’s formal structures to encompass political alliances, grassroots networks and a large constituency of voters who identified with his calls for democratic reform and social justice.
His death has left political leaders grappling with how to preserve that influence while advancing their own ambitions and responding to changing alliances.
Gachagua’s accusations add to the pressure on ODM’s leadership to demonstrate that the party can remain cohesive and politically relevant without its founding figure at the centre of decision-making.
However, his assessment of the party’s decline remains a political claim rather than an established conclusion. ODM leaders have continued to defend the organisation and its strategy, while the party’s ultimate electoral strength will be tested through its performance in the 2027 elections.
The larger question is whether ODM can reconcile its internal differences, retain its traditional support base and establish a clear political identity for the post-Raila era.
For Gachagua, the late leader’s example offers a lesson in the value of party-building and political organisation. For ODM, the challenge is to show that the movement Raila created can survive his absence without losing the influence that made it a central force in Kenyan politics.
As tributes to Raila give way to renewed political competition, the debate over his legacy is increasingly becoming a debate about the future of the parties, alliances and leaders seeking to inherit his political space.
Gachagua concluded his tribute with a message to the late opposition chief: “Rest Well, Jakom!”
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