Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ruled out working with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, among other leaders, claiming such an alliance would cost him victory in the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua described Wanga, Junet and other leaders, including Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli and law professor Makau Mutua, as a “bad omen” for any political leader.
“Personally, I can’t work with Wanga and Junet because I would lose. Wherever Gladys Wanga, Junet, Atwoli and Makau Mutua stand, that side will lose.” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua argued that the leaders had been part of Raila Odinga’s political camp for five years, during which he gained popularity but ultimately lost the 2022 presidential election despite receiving support from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Those people are a bad omen to any leader. They were with Raila for five years. He gained popularity, but because they are a bad omen, even with the support of Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila lost,” Gachagua claimed.
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Gachagua’s remarks come less than two weeks after Wanga also ruled out working with him, accusing the former deputy president of promoting exclusionary politics that conflict with ODM’s values.
“Gachagua propagates exclusion, the politics of big tribes and small tribes, and that is not the ODM DNA. Anybody associating with Gachagua and saying they are part of ODM, it is not so,” Wanga said.
Wanga, however, maintained that ODM would continue its arrangement with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the agreement would have to go beyond political positions to include issues the party has championed over the years.
“We will negotiate with UDA, not just positions but also about the issues that ODM has stood for over the years, including inclusion. That’s why we cannot be in the same place as Gachagua,” she said.
