Gachagua urges Raila to keep off cousins movement
By Paulette Mboga, August 11, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked ODM leader Raila Odinga to stop interfering with what he calls the “cousins movement,” a political alliance he says is the strongest unity effort the country has witnessed.
Speaking to the media on Monday, August 11, 2025, Gachagua accused Raila of using communities he referred to as “cousins” — including the Luhya, Kamba, Kisii, Mijikenda, and Taita for his political gain during past election cycles.
According to Gachagua, Raila has for years mobilised these groups with promises of taking them to “Canaan,” only to abandon them after securing his political interests.
Claims of manipulation for political gain
“The minute he gets there, he doesn’t intend to be president, he is not interested,” Gachagua said.
“He doesn’t know what it means to take responsibility. He just wants power. His problem is that he is invited to the government, and then he starts eating. And that is why right now he is quiet. He is a very good observer — when you are at the table eating, you don’t talk.”
The former Deputy President claimed that Raila’s political tactics have kept many of these communities divided and dependent on his direction for decades.
However, he said, the “cousins” have now united independently and begun speaking the same political language without relying on Raila.
He alleged that Raila’s recent appearances at public functions show his frustration over losing influence in these regions. Referring to a recent funeral for the late Phoebe Asiyo, Gachagua claimed that Raila’s emotions were not only for the deceased but also for the “loss of cousins.”
“I saw Tinga (Raila) the other day crying at a funeral. Instead of mourning the late Phoebe Asiyo, he was mourning the loss of cousins,” Gachagua said.
He further alleged that when President William Ruto invited Raila to join him at the “table” of governance, the ODM leader “forgot all the cousins and ate alone.”
Gachagua concluded by reaffirming that the “cousins movement” is here to stay and that Raila should stop meddling in its affairs.
“We have now found our way as a family,” he said. “All the cousins are talking the same language.”