Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed Raila Odinga’s declaration that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) may still field a candidate in the 2027 general election. He claimed instead that Raila would eventually side with President William Ruto if money was involved.

Speaking on Sunday, September 28, 2025, during a church service in Kajiado, Gachagua described the former Prime Minister as a “man of money” whose political moves depended on financial benefits.

“Na msikue confused na huyu mzee kusema ooh hatujatoa candidate. Huyu mzee ni mjanja sana. Pale kwa Ruto ametengeneza group mbili. Ni mzee mjanja. Group moja ni ya kutoa pesa kwa Ruto; ile ya kina Junet kumsifu sijui ooh broadbased, ndio pesa itoke. Alafu ameunda group ingine ya kina Sifuna ya kupiga kelele ndio ile maneno wamekubaliana na Ruto afanye nini?.. Sasa hiyo umeona akisema ati hawajaamua kama ODM itasimamisha mtu, ni cheki yake ilikuwa imechelewa. Sasa imetoka si amenyamaza,” Gachagua told the congregation.

He went on to claim that Raila’s cooperation with the government was not based on national interest but on payments from the president.

“And I want to confirm Ruto alisema. ‘Hii mtu inaitwa Raila ni mtu ya pesa. Nikiwa na pesa atafanya vile mimi nataka.’ It has come to pass. Huyu mzee watakuwa na Ruto. Ruto atamlipa watakuwa pamoja,” he added.

ODM yet to decide

The remarks were a direct response to Raila’s clarification earlier in the week that ODM had not abandoned plans to field its own candidate in 2027. Speaking on Monday, September 22, 2025 during an ODM Parliamentary Group meeting in Machakos, Raila insisted that no one should commit the party to any arrangement before formal discussions.

Prior to Raila’s remarks, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said ODM would field a presidential candidate in 2027.

“So, wherever you are, don’t commit the party to some things which have not been discussed. Let those things be discussed first. We are ODM. Who’s told you that ODM will not have a candidate in 2027, who has told you,” Raila told MPs.

The ODM leader further explained that the pact his party signed with Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) earlier this year was meant to stabilise the country and reduce political tensions, not to determine the 2027 race.

“We have a clear plan that we have negotiated and we have agreed on. And let us continue to implement that plan. Other decisions we’ll take when the time comes,” he said.