Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following remarks she described as “reckless, tribal, and deeply offensive” toward the Luo community.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Wanga condemned the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader over the comments she says were made during a public address in Gatundu, where he reportedly claimed that “Luos are barking like dogs”.

“I have noted with utter contempt yet another unfortunate and misguided outburst by the impeached former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua. In a deeply disappointing and irresponsible statement, he has once again made deeply offensive and unacceptable remarks about a Kenyan community,” Wanga stated.

“Addressing a handful of people in Gatundu, miles away from Luoland and to an audience with nearly no Luos, Mr. Gachagua had the audacity to claim that “Luos are barking like dogs.” No Kenyan community should be demeaned. The Luo people, like all Kenyans, deserve respect and dignity.”

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson did not hold back in her criticism, describing Gachagua as a “rejected leader” attempting to revive his political relevance through divisive rhetoric.

“If Mr. Gachagua hears barking, he should look in the mirror; it is the sound of a man who has been rejected by his own backyard and stripped of power, now wandering the wilderness looking for a political lifebuoy,” she stated.

She further challenged the former deputy president to engage directly with communities he criticises, accusing him of making inflammatory remarks from a distance rather than facing the people on the ground.

ODM sale

The governor also dismissed claims attributed to Gachagua that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had been “sold” to President William Ruto by senior party figures.

She termed the allegations “pathetic lies,” insisting that ODM remains a values-driven political movement built over two decades.

“The impeached former deputy president’s hallucination that ODM was “sold” to President Ruto by Dr. Oburu Oginga, Hon. Junet Mohamed, and I is a pathetic lie from a man who understands nothing about ideology. Unlike him, who often reduces politics to transactions rather than principles, ODM is a 20-year-old institution built on the blood, sweat, and tears of patriots. It cannot be sold, bought, or auctioned,” Wanga wrote.

“ODM is a national movement grounded on ideals of social justice and devolution, concepts that are clearly alien to a man whose signature “achievement” was the mistreatment of widows, orphans, and the disenfranchised.”

Raila’s legacy

Wanga also took issue with Gachagua’s references to veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, accusing him of hypocrisy.

“It is the height of hypocrisy and shamelessness for Mr. Gachagua to invoke the name of our late leader, Baba Raila Odinga. This is a man who lacked the basic human decency to attend Baba’s burial or pay his last respects. Now, sensing his dwindling political fortunes, he wants to revive” his career by clutching at the coattails of a man he spent his entire career insulting,” she stated.

In her statement, Wanga also accused Gachagua of making derogatory remarks about Samia Suluhu Hassan, terming his conduct misogynistic and diplomatically inappropriate.

Despite the strong language, Wanga urged leaders across the political divide to uphold respectful engagement and avoid inflammatory rhetoric.

She warned that continued attacks on communities and political leaders would not be met with similar hostility but reaffirmed ODM’s focus on development and service delivery.