Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims linking him to rumours about ODM leader Raila Odinga’s health, saying he had no knowledge of any such reports circulating online.
Speaking on Sunday, October 5, Gachagua said he spent most of Saturday in Nyali with MP Mohammed Ali and was not active on social media at the time the rumours emerged.
“I am very saddened by ODM; it has sunk so low. Since they allowed William Ruto to destroy ODM, it is no longer the party it was,” said Gachagua.
“I spent the whole day with Mohammed Ali and slept early. When I woke up, I was told ODM had issued a statement accusing me and Kalonzo of spreading rumours that Raila is unwell. I wasn’t even aware that such rumours existed.”
The former DP questioned ODM’s response to the speculation, terming it unnecessary and poorly thought out.
“If a leader is said to be unwell and he is well, you just continue with your normal life. There’s no need to issue statements to prove you are fine. All one needs to do is appear in public, go about daily activities, and people will see for themselves,” he said.
Mr. Gachagua said he had no personal interest in Mr. Odinga’s affairs, arguing that the former Prime Minister and President William Ruto are “no different” in his view.
“There is no difference between Ruto and Raila. They are the same to me. I don’t bother where Raila is or what he does—it’s none of my business,” he added.
He further alleged that the statement from ODM was part of a wider political strategy aimed at creating divisions between the Luo community and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“It is political mischief. Many from Luo Nyanza believe that if Raila won’t run and he supports Ruto, they will back Kalonzo, who has stood with Raila for 15 years. This could be an attempt to drive a wedge between the Luo Nation and Kalonzo,” he claimed.
ODM Responds
Raila Odinga’s spokesperson, Dennis Onyango, dismissed Gachagua’s remarks, accusing him and Mr. Musyoka of being behind what he called a “misinformation campaign” targeting the ODM leader.
“The misinformation is being spread by the same individuals who went on a campaign against Hon. Raila’s African Union Commission bid earlier this year,” Mr. Onyango said in a statement.
“They have co-opted sections of the media and are even using AI-generated images to fuel falsehoods.”
He clarified that Mr. Odinga had travelled out of the country on Friday, October 3, describing it as one of his routine international trips.
“Hon. Raila travelled out of the country on Friday evening — one of several trips he has made this year, and definitely not the last,” he said.
However, the statement has done little to quell public speculation, with some observers arguing that visible public engagement would be more effective in countering the rumours.
Political analysts note that in an age of social media speculation, public visibility often carries more weight than written communication.
Wiper Party Reaction
The Wiper Democratic Movement also rejected ODM’s allegations, saying they were “driven by fear and insecurity” over Mr. Odinga’s political future.
“H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka harbours no ill will toward Mr. Odinga. The two leaders share a long and public history of cooperation and mutual respect. Any suggestion that Mr. Musyoka wishes harm upon Mr. Odinga is malicious, reckless, and false,” the party said.
Public Concern and Perception
While the debate continues, questions persist over how ODM handles speculation about its leader’s wellbeing.
For many Kenyans, reassurance would come more convincingly from seeing Mr. Odinga resume his normal public engagements rather than through statements from his secretariat.
As one political observer noted, “If Raila Odinga is well, he doesn’t need to tell Kenyans — all he needs to do is be seen.”
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