Opposition leader Raila Odinga finally broke his silence about former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua setting traps for him at State House.
Speaking in Vihiga County on Sunday, December 1, 2024, during the thanksgiving of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi, Raila mocked Gachagua over sentiments he once made last year that he has set traps at State House so that the former Prime Minister could not have access to President William Ruto.
While throwing shades, Raila noted that Gachagua was against the broad-based government idea, adding that his traps have instead kicked him out of the government and that he cannot access the State House with Ruto’s invitation.
In addition, the veteran politician added that the second deputy president failed to play his political cards wisely.
“Nimeona juzi mtu mwengine anabweka kule ati tumeweka mitego kila mahali, huwezi kupenya. Mtego ya aina gani? Hiyo mtego wa Gachagua ati aliwekea Baba mtego, eti hakuna mambo ya handshake, hakuna mambo ya nusu mkate. Ako wapi sasa Gachagua? Ako wapi?” said Odinga.
Gachagua on traps
In August 2024, during an interview, Gachagua disclosed that he had removed the traps after noticing that Ruto appeared to be reuniting with Raila.
“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,” he disclosed.
He went on to say that even though his traps were working, he abandoned them as soon as Ruto and Raila began talking.
“I would constantly check the traps to see whether they had captured anything; my traps were working very well because even that time they decided to meet, they did so in Uganda as they watched Museveni’s big-horned cattle. President Ruto is in charge; that is his house. I decided to step aside and watch from afar,” he added.
In 2023, Gachagua said that he had set traps at the house on the hill to give the opposition boss unfettered access.
“Nimepanga hiyo Ikulu, nimeieweka mitego kila corner, kila corner. Na niko na watu wakionekana tu karibu napigiwa simu kwa sababu huwezi kubali mtu ameharibu serikali nne aingie ya tano,” Gachagua said during a past event.
