Wamuzi News Ke
In a blistering response to political chicanery, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly rejected and denounced claims by ODM that he and Wiper Party’s Kalonzo Musyoka are behind rumours about Raila Odinga’s ill health.
The rebuttal marks one of the most intense public exchanges in Kenya’s political arena ahead of the 2027 elections.Speaking at United Opposition campaign stops in Machakos and Kitui counties on Sunday, October 5, Gachagua described the accusations as “baseless”—questioning how his name and Kalonzo’s could be dragged into matters wholly unrelated to them.
“How does Raila’s illness relate to Kalonzo or me? Is Kalonzo a bacteria or a virus?” Gachagua demanded, visibly agitated. He challenged ODM to clarify the source of these narratives instead of attributing blame without evidence.
He accused ODM of manipulating the narrative to sow division between Raila’s Luo supporters and Kalonzo. According to Gachagua, the timing of the allegations—circulated just as debates over Raila’s absence intensify—fits a deliberate political play.
He claimed, “ODM has gone too low. I didn’t even know Raila was said to be unwell… Whether he is in the country or not, that’s none of my concern.”Gachagua also underscored that ill health is neither a crime nor a public spectacle: “If a leader is rumoured to be sick but is well, there’s no need to write statements.
You can simply make a public appearance and move on. That’s how you clear the air.”The former Deputy President, while rejecting the rumours, expressed health wishes for Raila and signalled a fierce political contest ahead: “I pray God gives Raila long life and good health.
I hope he continues supporting Ruto until 2027 so that we can defeat them both politically.”
Backdrop to the Firestorm.
The accusations landed shortly after Raila’s secretariat slammed recent claims about his health as “baseless propaganda,” implicating political rivals, including Gachagua and Kalonzo, in propagating false narratives.
The controversy emerges amid growing public speculation about Raila’s whereabouts—he was last seen publicly on October 3, having also skipped appearances earlier in September.Critics have pointed out that the secrecy surrounding Raila’s movements fuels uncertainty and gives fodder to sensational rumours.
ODM’s failure to preemptively address the swirling conjecture, Gachagua suggests, is part of a strategy to stir unrest within Raila’s base, especially as 2027 approaches.
By reframing the issue as an attempt to fracture Raila’s coalition and sow suspicion against Kalonzo, Gachagua has repositioned himself from target of attacks to a defender of reputations — all while escalating the political temperature in the country.
The Stakes Are High.
This exchange signals more than a mere clash over personal allegations. It reflects broader tensions in Kenya’s political landscape, where trust, perception, and narrative control are battlefield weapons. With 2027 looming, every statement, denial, and insinuation carries weight.
ODM now faces a choice: double down on its line of attack or risk being accused of playing dirty politics. Gachagua’s dramatic pushback raises the bar—he demands transparency and accountability for what he calls “political mudslinging.”
The key question: will ODM produce credible evidence linking Gachagua and Kalonzo to health rumours? Or will the counterattack stick, shifting public focus away from Raila’s whereabouts to allegations of narrative manipulation?
As this feud unfolds, Kenya watches closely. In the high-stakes theatre of national politics, few lines are off-limits — and this may just be the beginning.
