Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed admiration for the late Raila Odinga’s leadership, describing him as a master strategist who built one of Kenya’s most enduring political movements. Speaking at the Ngemi ya Watho festival hosted by GEMA legal professionals in Thika, Gachagua praised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for its resilience and unity.
“Look at the political party he built called ODM; a strong political party that, though he was never elected president, he was able to get into every government and get what he wanted because he had a strong political party,” Gachagua said.
He highlighted the strength of ODM’s leadership, noting that the party’s legislators were among Kenya’s most distinguished lawyers. Gachagua mentioned figures such as James Orengo, the late Otieno Kajwang, Otiende Amollo, Caroli Omondi, Peter Kaluma, Edwin Sifuna, Catherine Mumma, and Babu Owino as examples of leaders who had steadfastly supported Odinga for decades.
“In his party, all legislators are top-notch lawyers. These are the people who protected Raila Odinga for 30 years,” he said.
Contrasting this with politics in the Mt Kenya region, Gachagua lamented that he lacked similarly skilled “foot soldiers,” urging professionals and intellectuals to actively engage in politics.
“You are so educated and learned; you must offer yourselves to lead our people, defend them, and make good laws,” he told attendees.
Gachagua also called on professionals to join his newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), saying his goal was to recruit 140 legislators, including at least 40 lawyers, to strengthen Kenya’s political leadership.
“We cannot say politics is dirty. By staying away, the country remains dirty because of bad governance and poor leadership,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing that professionals have a moral and civic duty to contribute to the nation’s governance and ensure a brighter political future.
