How Gachagua made U-turn, became Raila's cheerleader

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is heaping praises on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a stark contrast to the DP’s previous projection of the ODM leader as the bogeyman.

Gachagua has in the past framed Raila as a politician with non-progressive ideas allegedly drawing the country back from its much-needed political and economic takeoff.

The DP had claimed, in the past, he had set up traps around State House to ensure that Raila never accessed the house on the hill, alleging that his entry into past governments was disastrous.

However, the DP had recently said he removed the traps after noticing that his boss appeared determined to reunite with Raila.

According to Gachagua, so effective were his traps that the first time President Ruto met Raila Odinga, he did so in Uganda, many miles away from the House on the Hill. 

"My boss and I had agreed we set up traps so that Raila does not join the government through the backdoor, I would check the traps every morning and evening," Gachagua said during an interview with Mount Kenya vernacular radio stations last month.

"I would constantly check the traps to see whether they had captured anything."

Gachagua said that despite Uhuru Kenyatta's previous criticism of Raila, they had eventually come to work together. 

"Uhuru Kenyatta told us Raila was bad,  but they ended up working together. Ruto told us Raila was bad, but they are working together. I sat and wondered, was I Gachagua in the dark?" he posed.

The DP used the illustration to reinforce his point that President Ruto's decision to work with Raila was informed by past experiences.

Gachagua had previously taken a firm position against Raila working with the Kenya Kwanza government.

Gachagua would later oppose the National Dialogue Committee talks between Ruto and Raila alleging that they were part of Raila’s schemes to get a share of the Kenya Kwanza government.

But on Tuesday, the DP made a dramatic U-turn when he lauded Raila as Kenya’s finest statesman during a state event to unveil the former prime minister as Kenya’s candidate for the African Union Commission chairperson.

"What a day, what a moment! We are here to unveil Raila Odinga, Kenya’s finest, to lead the African Union Commission. I would like to tell the African leaders that as we present Raila to be our candidate is because Africa, our motherland deserves the best. The passion and zeal of Raila in pan-Africanism is well documented. Passion knows no age and limit," he stated.

During the ceremony attended by three other heads of state, Gachagua claimed that he had nothing personal against Raila, attributing their differences to political competition.

"As a truthful man, I had no issue with Raila Odinga’s leadership. The only problem was that he was competing for the same position as my boss. Now that he is running for a higher seat in Africa, all of us are behind him. I have listened to the ground and all Kenyans across all political divides are in support of your candidature and we wish you well," he affirmed.

The DP continued with the same positive script during President Ruto’s ongoing tour of Luo Nyanza, Raila’s political heartland and support base.

Gachagua said the newfound camaraderie between him and Raila is the secret to winning hearts in Nyanza.

“I am happy with your reception, I never knew that the secret of working with you is remaining loyal to Baba (Raila)," he said.

 “Now that Ruto is the president and Raila is going to be the head of Africa, it is game shot, we are now together."

Across all the stops, the DP has spoken highly of Raila, terming the former prime minister a statesman and a nationalist whose credentials speak for themselves.

Despite his hitherto negative rhetoric against Raila, Gachagua was received warmly by Luo Nyanza residents as the ODM leader’s political heartland welcomed the country’s top leadership.

As Luo Nyanza leaders spoke positively about Ruto’s partnership with Raila, they scathingly reminded Gachagua that should he abandon the president in 2027, then Luo Nyanza would stand with him.

During Treasury CS John Mbadi's thanksgiving service at Magunga in his Suba South constituency, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed took a swipe at Gachagua over his aggressive campaign for Mount Kenya.

By telling Gachagua that he would donate some hills in Homa Bay County to be adopted by the DP, Junet sarcastically reminded the second in command that he should look beyond Mount Kenya.

Junet listed some of the hills in Homa Bay that might be up for grabs by the DP, adding that he was welcome to stay among them.

"I’ve seen you’ve been out with your deputy. You know, Kenya is a very interesting place. We are in a period of appreciating mountains. You’ve seen there are many mountains here, and I want to donate three mountains to the deputy president so that when he comes back here, he can live with us on these mountains. There’s Gwassi Hill, Migori, and Nyasare. Let’s connect these mountains so that we all live on the mountain together," Junet said.

In response, Gachagua acknowledged the jest, asking Junet to get deeds to the hills.

 "And this mountain, Junet, you need to get the title deed so we can sit down with you, Mr. President, to unite our mountain, and then Kenya can move forward. Because all of Kenya is ours at the same time," the DP stated.

On Friday, Gachagua said he is ready to unite the mountain with other mountains across the country, declaring he will work with all Kenyans.

“I am willing and ready to sit down with people from the mountain and other mountains so that we unite the country,"  he said.

Gachagua has come under criticism over his support for the Mount Kenya region, with leaders terming such a narrative as retrogressive.

After the 2022 general elections, Gachagua protested Raila’s anti-government protests and at some point branded him an enemy.

"I want to caution those young men, who have been taking advantage of the violence to steal property, mug people and loot property, that Monday (April 3) is their last day to do so," Gachagua said in April 2023.

"The laws of this country are clear. What Raila is leading are no longer demonstrations. It is post-election violence, mugging, theft, robbery and robbery with violence. Those are felonies.’’

During the standoff between Raila’s Azimio and the government, Gachagua used to be in his Harambee office by 5 am as he vowed to crush the opposition protests.

"As a government, we have said enough is enough. Raila Odinga hatakubaliwa tena, under any arrangement, to cause violence, deaths and destruction of property," said Gachagua in July 2023.

There are signals that Raila's camaraderie with Ruto could birth a 2027 political deal that might isolate Gachagua.

Observers argue that Gachagua's decision to beat a hasty retreat and back Ruto's bromance with Raila is out of fear of being dumped in 2027.