Gachagua: I have no personal vendetta against Luo community
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 25, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has denied claims that he has no personal vendetta against the Luo community, saying he holds only admiration for the lakeside residents.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Democracy for Citizens leader refuted these accusations, saying he has a long and meaningful history with the community.
“I have nothing personal with the Luo community. I have nothing but admiration; I have great admiration for the Luo community,” he stated.
As a political scientist, Gachagua noted that some of the people who shaped his career were from the Nyanza region.
He further explained that after entering the public sector, he was mentored by two people from the lakeside community, including former District Commissioner Samuel Erick Oreta, who served in Kiambu; former Provincial Commissioner Peter Raburu, who was then District Commissioner in Kakamega, with Gachagua serving as a District Officer, among others.
Gachagua added that the perception of him holding animosity toward the lakeside communities likely arises because he has long been on the opposing side of politics with the community’s late leader, Raila Odinga.
During political contests, they often exchanged sharp criticisms, which created the impression that he had issues with the Luo community. According to Gachagua, his problem was only with Raila Odinga personally, not with his community.
Bondo visit
On why he has never visited the home of the late Raila Odinga to pay his last respect following his death, Gachagua blamed it on his spouse, Ida Odinga, for failing to give him a date on when he should visit the place.
The DCP leader stated that he was ready and had even gathered elders for the journey to Bondo. However, when he asked the spouse of the late leader about the date he should visit, he was told to wait until she sets the date for the visit.
“I did call Mama Ida Odinga; I passed my personal condolences to her, and we placed a request that we would like to go to Bondo, and she said that things were quite heavy and that at an appropriate time she will give us an answer. We are still waiting,” he said.
Gachagua continued to express his disappointment, saying that there is no way an elder of his stature could visit someone’s home without approval from the homeowner, which is why he is still waiting for a date from Mama Ida to this day.