Karungo wa Thang’wa defends Gachagua’s absence from Raila’s funeral
By Ascah Mwango, October 18, 2025Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has defended former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following his notable absence from the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo National Stadium.
Also Watch: Leaders break down in tears as they mourn Raila Odinga
In a statement shared on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Karungo said Gachagua’s absence was not an act of defiance, weakness, or guilt but a deliberate show of statesmanship, emotional intelligence, and deep respect for a moment that was bigger than politics.
“Kenya does not stop when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chooses silence; it listens even more closely,” Karungo stated.
Adding;
“His absence from Baba’s farewell was not defiance but maturity. It was the kind of quiet leadership that puts the nation before the individual and the moment before the microphone.”
Also Watch: Bishop Kodia condemns corrupt leaders, praises Raila’s integrity
President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto, and several former heads of state and dignitaries attended the ceremony, but the former Deputy President was nowhere to be seen.
Karungo defended the decision, saying Gachagua understood the weight of the moment and chose not to shift the national focus away from Odinga’s farewell. “He knows that his presence alone would have changed the tone of the day, shifting attention from Raila Odinga’s legacy to political interpretations about his every move,” he said.
The senator described Gachagua as one of the most consequential leaders of the time.
“He is a voice for ordinary Kenyans, a guardian of their hopes and aspirations, and a leader whose influence shapes the national conversation whether he is present or not,” Karungo added.
He further noted that Gachagua’s absence should not be mistaken for indifference.
“Let it be clear, his absence was not indifference. It was reverence. Gachagua has known and worked with Raila Odinga for decades. When the right time comes, he will honour Raila, not before a sea of cameras, but in a deeply personal and respectful way, by laying a wreath at his resting place in Bondo,” Karungo said.
Raila Odinga’s state funeral drew thousands of mourners and world leaders, including presidents and opposition figures from across Africa.
\