Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua never forgave Raila Odinga — and now, sources close to him reveal why.
According to insiders, Rigathi felt that Raila personally killed his political career after he sided with President William Ruto to push ODM MPs in support of his impeachment.
After being kicked out, Rigathi went silent at his Wamunyoro residence, where he began re-strategizing his political comeback. At that time, both Raila and Ruto reportedly believed that Rigathi would fade away within two weeks — just like Mike Sonko and Ferdinand Waititu, whose careers died soon after impeachment.
But what truly broke the bond was Raila’s mocking statement at a rally in Vihiga, where he laughed off Rigathi’s fall, saying:
“Nimeona juzi mtu kule ati tumeweka mitego kila mahali, huwezi kupenya. Mtego ya aina gani? Ati aliwekea Baba mtego, eti hakuna mambo ya handshake, ya nusu mkate — ako wapi saa hii? Mjinga yeye!”
Those close to Rigathi say the remark cut him deeply. He felt Raila had humiliated him publicly and destroyed his future for no reason — a war he believes should have been between him and his former boss, President Ruto.
Rigathi also strongly believes that were it not for Raila’s support, Ruto would never have secured the numbers in Parliament needed to impeach him.
That, according to sources, is the real reason Rigathi Gachagua refused to attend Raila Odinga’s state funeral.