Gachagua: Raila distancing himself now that Ruto is under fire
By William Muthama, July 12, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused ODM party leader Raila Odinga of political hypocrisy, claiming the veteran politician is retreating from President William Ruto’s administration now that it is facing growing criticism from the public.
Speaking in Seattle on Saturday, July 12, 2025, during a diaspora event also attended by People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Gachagua argued that Raila has made a habit of aligning himself with the government for convenience, only to abandon ship when challenges arise.
“Every election cycle, he loses and finds his way into government,” Gachagua told the audience. “But he doesn’t want responsibility. He is there, but somebody else takes the flak.”
His comments come a day after Raila issued a strongly worded statement condemning shoot-to-kill orders issued to police.
Raila, in a post dated Friday, July 11, 2025, described the directives as unconstitutional and dangerous.
He urged law enforcement to uphold due process during protests, warning against the rise of militarised policing.
But Gachagua dismissed the ODM leader’s condemnation, implying it was politically calculated.
“Right now, he finds things are too hot for William Ruto, so he is trying to distance himself,” he said. “If he was a patriotic Kenyan, and he meant well for our country, he would disengage from Kasongo.”
In what appeared to be a direct jab at Raila’s continued public commentary despite past political partnerships, Gachagua added, “He is talking when his mouth is full. And those are called table manners.”
He also claimed Raila’s influence was fading across former strongholds.
“The support he had is gone. The Kamba Nation used to support him they are not there. The Gusi Nation they are not there.”
Gachagua’s remarks highlight emerging fractures in the previously warm cooperation between Raila and Ruto, who earlier this year signed a broad-based agreement following Gen Z-led national protests.
With the country gripped by unrest, the clash between two of Kenya’s most seasoned political figures signals deeper tensions in the government-opposition dynamic heading into the 2027 polls.