Gachagua warns ODM to stop blaming Uhuru for Raila’s 2022 loss
By Mustafa Juma, January 3, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come to the defence of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, warning Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders to stop blaming him for Raila Odinga’s narrow loss in the 2022 presidential election.
Speaking during the burial of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya’s mother, Gachagua argued that Kenyatta went above and beyond to support Raila’s candidacy and should instead be respected for delivering unprecedented votes from the Mt Kenya region, traditionally a hostile terrain for the late ODM leader.
According to Gachagua, Raila’s defeat by about 200,000 votes could not be pinned on Uhuru but rather on voter apathy in Raila’s traditional strongholds.
Gachagua maintained that turnout failures in Nyanza and parts of Western Kenya proved decisive, arguing that Raila would have easily clinched victory had ODM regions mobilised fully.
“Sifuna, mimi nakubaliana na wewe. Uhuru Kenyatta aliwasaidia nyinyi watu wa ODM, alafu watu wa Siaya, watu wa Homa Bay, watu wa Migori, watu wa Kisumu, hamkupiga kura, mkashindwa na kura elfu mia mbili. Angepita namna gani watu wakiwa nyumbani? Raila Odinga lost by 200k votes. Angepitia wapi? How do you blame Uhuru Kenyatta?” Gachagua said.
Political scapegoating
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also criticised what he described as a growing culture of political scapegoating, accusing both ODM figures and allies of President William Ruto of allowing or encouraging attacks on Uhuru despite his retirement from active politics.
“Uhuru Kenyatta actually did the unthinkable. The people of this region have never voted for Raila Odinga; how he persuaded a million people to vote for him is a miracle. Wamheshimu Uhuru Kenyatta. Uhuru Kenyatta sio rika yao. Wewe William Ruto, ulituambia Uhuru Kenyatta ndiye shida ya Kenya, sasa aliondokea. Why are you still sending young people to abuse him? Hao watu wa ODM, mjue shida yenu sio Uhuru Kenyatta,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua’s remarks come at a time of heightened infighting within ODM, with a section of the members launching a scathing attack against the party’s Secretary General, Edwin Sifuna, and Uhuru, whom they have accused of plotting to auction the party.
Sifuna details Uhuru’s role in 2022
Sifuna has, however, revealed new details on the scale of Uhuru Kenyatta’s financial and logistical support to Raila’s 2022 presidential campaign.
Speaking at the same funeral event, Sifuna stated that Uhuru played a central role in financing ODM’s campaign machinery, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, where Raila recorded an unprecedented performance compared to previous elections.
“Kwa mara ya kwanza mheshimiwa Raila Odinga alizoa kura zaidi ya milioni moja kutoka kwa hii mlima. Na ndio maana mliona nikipigia Uhuru Kenyatta asante. Mlitusukuma, lakini alitusaidia. Wengine walikula pesa ya Uhuru Kenyatta sawa sawa,” Sifuna said, attributing the breakthrough directly to Uhuru’s backing.