The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has fired back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, asserting that he is not the solution to Kenya’s problems and called for dialogue over protests as the way forward.
Speaking at a funeral in Bomet on July 12, 2025, Odinga stated that even if Gachagua became president, he would not bring about any real change in the country.
Odinga further noted that Gachagua is not the visionary leader Kenya needs and that his past actions during his time as deputy president do not show that he can bring about any improvements to Kenya.
“Even if you make Rigathi Gachagua the next president, there is no big difference he will bring to this country,” he stated.
The ODM leader stressed that the country needs to have a national dialogue, stating that Kenyans should discuss their issues and identify the root causes of the country’s problems.
He added that protesting and chanting statements like ‘Ruto Must Go’ are not viable solutions arguing that even if President Ruto left office, putting Gachagua in his place wouldn’t make any meaningful difference.
“The time has come for Kenyans to dialogue and deliberate on their issues and identify where the problem is. Solutions can’t be found through demonstrations. We can’t be saying “Ruto Must Go”, even if he left, that would not be the solution. Even if you bring ‘Wamunyoro’, he is not an option. He can’t make any difference. The demonstrators are our kids; let us all engage. From the youth, to women and men,” he announced.
Raila’s sharp criticism of the former Deputy President came just hours after Gachagua rejected his call for national dialogue as a solution to the country’s problems.
Speaking to Kenyans in the United States, Gachagua claimed that Odinga had participated in similar talks before without yielding any real outcomes.
He went on to dismiss the former Prime Minister as politically irrelevant and labeled him an opportunist who consistently seeks a place in every administration.
“Raila is irrelevant in the political discourse because every election cycle, he loses and finds his way into government. He wants to be in government but doesn’t want responsibility,” Gachagua commented.
