Bad News for Ruto as Details Emerge on Why Gachagua Was Invited to Attend Raila’s Anniversary

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala has claimed that the Odinga family could be moving away from President William Ruto’s government following the invitation extended to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to attend Raila Odinga’s first death anniversary.

Malala made the remarks on Sunday, October 18, as political debate continued over the event held at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 15.

According to Malala, the decision to invite Gachagua was a sign that members of the Odinga family could be opening a new chapter in their political relations.

The former Kakamega senator claimed that the United Opposition had started engaging Raila’s family and suggested that the talks could lead to closer ties ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“You have seen that they even invited Gachagua to Raila’s memorial,” Malala said, using the invitation to support his argument that political realignments could be taking shape.

However, his remarks remain a political interpretation. The invitation alone does not confirm that the Odinga family has decided to leave the government’s political camp.

Gachagua, who is currently building his DCP party, did not attend the memorial because he was in the United States for a previously planned programme. He later thanked Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, for inviting him and praised the late former Prime Minister’s contribution to Kenyan democracy.

Ida also defended the family’s decision to invite leaders from different political camps, explaining that Raila had maintained friendships across political divisions.

The event nevertheless exposed divisions among some ODM leaders. Several politicians allied to the broad-based government arrangement skipped the ceremony, with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed citing Gachagua’s invitation as one of the reasons for his absence.

The developments come as political leaders prepare for the 2027 elections, with questions emerging about ODM’s future alliances following Raila’s death.

Whether the Odinga family will formally change its political position remains unclear.

Do you think the invitation signals a possible political shift ahead of 2027?

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