Raila Junior welcomes Gachagua in Bondo
Raila Odinga Junior has extended a warm invitation to all Kenyans to come to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi and pay their respects to his late father, Raila Odinga.
Raila, who passed away in India at the age of 80, was laid to rest on October 19. His send-off marked the conclusion of a state funeral organized by President William Ruto’s administration, honoring him as a distinguished statesman.
He was interred next to the mausoleum that holds the grave of his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
On Saturday, October 25, Kang’o Ka Jaramogi welcomed the Council of Governors (CoG), where current governors gathered to pay tribute to the late Raila.
Junior, who has recently taken on the role of family head following the loss of their patriarch, was there to greet them.
Standing before the crowd at the gravesite, Junior warmly welcomed all Kenyans to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, emphasizing that everyone was invited, no matter their status, tribe, or political beliefs.
“One thing I wanted to say, the last time I stayed here as an ordinary family member, but now as one of the elders of this home. As we mourn here, we welcome everyone, the entirety of Kenya. You are welcome to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi. We do not stop anyone from coming to pay their last respects in this home,” he said.
His feelings seemed to clash with the views of some members of the ODM party, who had stated that former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and his supporters should steer clear of Bondo.
On October 22, some party officials gathered for a press conference in Kisumu, where they were joined by ODM’s national chairperson, Gladys Wanga, who also happens to be the governor of Homa Bay.
During the event, they made it clear that Gachagua would not be welcome in Bondo.
This press conference was a direct response to comments made by Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga, who appeared to celebrate Raila’s demise, suggesting it was a divine act favoring the Mt Kenya region.
The upset ODM officials claimed that Kahiga’s remarks had Gachagua’s endorsement.
They pointed out that the Nyeri governor is a close ally of the former deputy president, implying that Gachagua might have sent him to make such statements.
Consequently, they declared Gachagua a prohibited figure in Bondo.
Meanwhile, Kahiga faced heavy backlash for his comments. As a result, he was ousted from his position as vice chairman of the CoG leadership.
Even the Gachagua-led opposition faction distanced itself from him, stating that they did not support his inflammatory remarks.
Kahiga had suggested that Raila’s passing would benefit Mt Kenya, as the development and resources currently directed towards Nyanza and Western Kenya would be redirected to the mountain region.
He argued that Raila had been influencing government policies and resource allocation due to his close relationship with President William Ruto.
Raila Junior welcomes Gachagua in Bondo
