Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says there is a newfound camaraderie between him and opposition chief Raila Odinga having discovered he is the secret sauce for winning hearts in Nyanza.
Addressing a crowd in Homa Bay on Thursday, August 29, 2024, Gachagua who is accompanying President William Ruto on a planned four-day tour of the Nyanza region, admitted that he has learned the hard way that if you want to keep warm in Nyanza, you need to cosy up to Baba (Raila Odinga).
Gachagua acknowledged that his previous approach to the region might have been misguided.
“Ndio huyu mimi Riggy G, yule mtu kutoka mlima, nimekuja apa. Nimekuja na salamu nyingi kutoka mlima Kenya. Sisi tumekuja apa na kiongozi wetu kwa mambo ya maendeleo, tulimaliza siasa juzi,” Gachagua stated.
“Yule mzee wetu Baba, aende Afrika akue kiongozi wetu. Nimefurahi vile mmetukaribisha apa. Unajua mimi sikuwa najua siri ya kukaa na nyinyi. Sasa nimejua siri ya kukaa na nyinyi ni kuwa watu wa baba. Sasa mngetaka kunikaribisha Homa Bay, ama mnataka nilale apa?”
The Deputy President’s comments come shortly after Raila Odinga officially launched his bid to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
The event, a grand affair led by President Ruto himself, saw leaders from across the continent rallying behind the ODM party leader.
Gachagua praises Raila
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Gachagua endorsed Raila for the AUC chairmanship.
He praised Raila as Kenya’s best candidate to lead the continent, highlighting his passion for pan-Africanism and resilience.
“This is a great moment for our country. What a day, what a moment! We are here as a country to unveil Kenya’s finest to go and lead Africa. It’s a proud moment for this country. This is a quest that has brought pride to our nation,” Gachagua stated.
“As a country, we present Raila Odinga to be our candidate it is because Africa our motherland deserves the best. The passion and zeal of Raila Odinga in pan-Africanism is well documented. Passion knows no age, knows no limit. Raila Odinga will join the ranks of Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah in pushing the agenda for Africa.”
Addressing past political differences, Gachagua clarified that his opposition to Raila Odinga was purely political, centred on their competition for the presidency.
“Now that he’s pursuing a greater role in Africa, we are fully behind him,” he added.