Why Gachagua is yet to visit Raila's gravesite

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is one of the top politicians who has not yet visited the late ODM leader Raila Odinga’s grave in Bondo after Wiper leader trooped to Kango Ka Jaramogi with his allies to pay his last respects yesterday.

Other Opposition leaders who have visited the grave include Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, People’s Liberation Party's Martha Karua, Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Democratic Action Party’s Eugene Wamalwa, Kanu chairperson Gideon Moi, among others.

Gachagua did not attend Raila’s State burial ceremony held at Nyayo stadium on October 16 and neither did he attend his burial ceremony in Bondo, even after the site was turned into a political shrine as an endless stream of mourners, among them church leaders, heads of independent institutions, dignitaries and sympathisers, continue to pay homage for the gravesite.

The first to return at the grave was former President Uhuru Kenyatta who went back to Raila’s Opoda home where he spent time with the family paving way for other mourners to continue returning to the gravesite.

After delivering cows at Raila’s home on Thursday, Kalonzo hinted that Gachagua would like to visit Opoda Farm in the coming days even as he defended him following Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga’s remarks that seemed to celebrate Raila’’s death.

ODM leaders linked Gachagua with Kahiga’s remarks over claims that the governor was Gachagua’s ally but the Opposition leaders quickly disowned the governor claiming he had decamped to President William Ruto’s political wing.

Kalonzo said that although he represented the Opposition, Gachagua would find time and join the family later in the coming days.

“I know that the Gikuyu nation, for example, will come. My brother Rigathi would want to come. And those who spoke badly, spoke for themselves,” Kalonzo said.

He added, "The only clarification is that we are also here to represent the members of the United Opposition, but I think Riggy G and others will also look for time to come and mourn our late brother.”

Gachagua’s allies have also hinted that the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) party leader was planning to attend the event but waited for the right time to ensure that the polarization that had been established in the region by ODM leaders capsized.

“He is planning to pay homage to Raila’s grave but not at this time when Raila supporters had been incited by the members of the political class against him but he will eventually visit Kango ka Jaramogi,” a source said.

Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Major Donk said mourning was a personal move and that Gachagua was either planning to visit the grave or had engaged with the family privately.

“Everyone mourns in his own style and Gachagua is no exception. Maybe he has made his personal effort to deliver his condolence message to Raila's family and maybe he is planning to visit the family. Planning to visit the family entails prior proper preparations so that he can deliver the farm produce from Mt Kenya region,” Gathiru said.

According to the MP, even though Gachagua differed with the late Raila politically, that could not prevent him from mourning the former Prime Minister.

“Our culture dictates that when death knocks, we keep off our social or political differences, and Gachagua, being an elder, understands this too well,” the MP said.

Democracy for Citizens Party Secretary for Economic Planning Dr Peter Mbae underscored the fact that all the visits to Raila’s grave were strategic but pointed out Gachagua had chosen to mourn Raila differently.

"There are a lot of strategic visits to Raila’s Bondo home for political gain. Kalonzo’s visit makes a political statement, suggesting that he is positioning himself to inherit the conscience of not only ODM but the entire Azimio fraternity." Dr Mbae said.

He added ‘Gachagua may have chosen to mourn the father of democracy in his own style by suspending political rallies during the mourning period and we also may not know what he is planning, we can’t force individuals to do things our way.”

However, Gerald Mbugua, a political analyst, felt Gachagua was obliged to visit Raila's home to portray a national image figure and to send a message to Raila's supporters that he was with them during the mourning period.

"He failed terribly to join the mourners during Raila's burial, regardless of whether there were plans to heckle him, he can take advantage of the endless visits to the grave to fight the tribal tag. In politics, even silence is taken as a statement," Mbugua said.