The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) communication director Philip Etale has rubbish former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s advice to the Luhya community about uniting during the next general election.

In a statement on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Etale dismissed Gachagua stating that the Luhya community can not take advice from him.

According to Etale, Gachagua is not in a position to advise the Mulembe Nation on matters of unity and voting in the next general election since he has no moral authority.

“Rigathi should know that the Luhya community can not take advice from him. He has no moral authority to advise the Mulembe Nation. End of statement,” Etale said.

Gachagua’s advice to Western Region

Etale’s statement comes days after the former deputy president urged residents from the Western Kenya region to relook at its voting trends.

Speaking during an interview with Western Kenya vernacular radio stations on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Gachagua stated that Western is a vote-rich block, but their votes do not help the Mulembe Nation in any way.

The second deputy president further noted that the region has a chance of producing the country’s president, but their voting trend has always divided the votes.

The former Mathira Member of Parliament argued that the region has not been voting as a block during the general elections, with their votes being divided among several presidential candidates.

According to Gachagua, should the region unite and vote for one of their own as a block it has a chance of producing Kenya’s president.

“Mulembe Nation inaeza kupata nafasi ya kuchukua ufalme wa Kenya lakini itategemea vile mulembe itajipanga kwa sababu hii urais ya Kenya huwezi chukua tu namna hivyo. Muungane, muongee sauti moja, kwa sababu hapo mbeleni mnapiganga kura mara tatu. Kura yenu haisaidii Mulembe Nation, kwa sababu mnagawagawa. Wengine wanapatia Raila Odinga, wengine wanapeana kwa Musalia na wengine wanapeana huko. Inakuwa haina maana,” Gachagua argued.

He went ahead to point out how the region has been giving votes to Raila Odinga, while only a few choose to stand with Musalia Mudavadi whenever he vies, with the rest choosing to vote for other candidates on the ballot.

Rigathi should know that the Luhya community can NOT take advice from him. He has no moral authority to advise the Mulembe Nation. End of statement.

— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) February 6, 2025