Nuru Okanga predicts Gachagua’s rise to Raila-level influence
By Steve Ireri, August 12, 2025Political commentator Nuru Okanga has declared that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is on a political trajectory that could see him attain the same level of influence as veteran ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking during an interview with a local YouTuber on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Okanga also dismissed claims that the government may arrest him upon his return from the United States.
He argued that Gachagua’s political resilience and growing public appeal mirrored Raila’s, claiming that, much like the ODM leader, Gachagua could become a figure beyond the reach of law enforcement due to his stature.
“I want to tell you that all this talk about the government planning to arrest him when he returns to Kenya from the United States is just an attempt to twist things and see how the public will react. In my view, the way Gachagua is going, he will soon be like Raila Odinga,” he said.
Okanga said Gachagua is a fearless figure who does not shy away from speaking his mind, recalling how the former DP had previously warned the government against intimidating citizens.
He noted that Gachagua’s extensive experience in politics meant that threats would have little effect on him, and suggested that reports of an impending arrest were nothing more than an attempt to test public reaction.
“You know, Gachagua is not afraid and does not care about speaking his mind. He will always speak out. You heard him telling the government not to intimidate young people because he has been in politics for a long time, so he cannot be threatened,” he added.
He insisted that despite Gachagua’s impeachment, the Constitution remained in the hands of a few, and certain leaders commanded such loyalty that touching them would spark significant political repercussions.
“You know Raila is the kind of leader no police officer could dare arrest in this country, given how long he has been in politics. So with Gachagua, even though he was impeached, I understand that the Constitution is in the hands of a few people like us. But there are certain leaders that if you touch them, you destroy everything. I know he cannot be arrested. I am certain he will not be arrested. If he is arrested, then Ruto will have ruined everything,” he added.
Tribal leader
Okanga then emphasised that Gachagua was not a tribal politician but one who simply spoke the truth.
He pointed out that all leaders tended to address issues affecting their own communities, a political reality he said was also embraced by himself in speaking for Western Kenya, and by Raila when addressing matters in Nyanza.
“Gachagua is not tribal. He simply speaks the truth. Right now, everyone is pulling the rope towards their own region. Even I, Nuru Okanga, must pull it towards Western. You see, I talk about Western matters. Similarly, when Raila goes to Nyanza, he talks about Nyanza issues because people always speak about their own regions,” he added.
Citing National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula’s past remarks, Okanga claimed that Wetangula had warned President William Ruto against sidelining Gachagua, describing him as a political threat to the current administration.
He added that Gachagua’s deep knowledge of the government’s inner workings and his promise to speak out when political temperatures rise could eventually erode the president’s popularity.
“Even Wetangula himself, when someone was unfairly removed from a position, said they made a mistake in ousting that person. He personally tried to advise Ruto to leave Gachagua alone. Now Gachagua has become a threat to this government, and he knows all their secrets. He said that when the political season heats up, they will be hiding in vehicles as campaigns take off, but he will keep speaking until Ruto reaches a point where he will go to places where people spit on the ground out of hatred for him.”