Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has issued a stern warning to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, cautioning him against attending the burial of the late Raila Amolo Odinga in Bondo. Speaking passionately, Kaluma declared that Gachagua had no moral right to attend Raila’s funeral, accusing him of hypocrisy and deep-seated hatred toward the late opposition leader.
“Gachagua should not set foot in Bondo for Raila’s funeral,” Kaluma stated. “The same way he avoided the State Funeral at Nyayo is the same way he should keep off. He hated Baba Raila Odinga with all his heart. We have not forgotten how, as Deputy President, during the height of the Azimio protests over the cost of living, he would wake up at 5 a.m. plotting to assassinate Baba.”
Kaluma’s explosive remarks have sparked a heated national debate, exposing the deep political divisions that continue to define Kenya’s post-Raila era. The MP, a vocal ally of the late opposition chief, accused Gachagua of trying to sanitize his image by pretending to care about Raila’s legacy, yet his past actions allegedly showed hostility toward the man who dedicated his life to the fight for democracy.
According to Kaluma, allowing Gachagua to attend Raila’s funeral would amount to disrespecting the memory of a leader who endured detention, betrayal, and political persecution for the sake of Kenya’s freedom. He maintained that Raila’s final send-off should be reserved for those who genuinely loved, respected, and stood with him during his lifetime. “You cannot mock a man in life and then come to mourn him in death,” Kaluma said.
The warning comes amid growing political tension surrounding Raila’s funeral arrangements. While President William Ruto and several senior government officials attended the State Funeral at Nyayo Stadium, Gachagua’s conspicuous absence drew widespread attention. Many Kenyans interpreted it as a deliberate snub, given his strained relationship with the late opposition leader.
Kaluma’s comments have been met with mixed reactions from the public. Some Kenyans supported his stance, arguing that Gachagua’s presence in Bondo would be provocative and insincere. Others, however, condemned the statement as divisive, insisting that Raila’s funeral should be a unifying moment for the nation rather than a political battlefield.
Political analysts have observed that the controversy reflects the ongoing power struggles within Kenya’s political landscape, especially as leaders begin to reposition themselves in the aftermath of Raila Odinga’s death. For years, Raila served as a unifying figure, commanding respect across party lines despite fierce political rivalry. His passing has left a vacuum that is now exposing simmering tensions among Kenya’s political elites.
Peter Kaluma’s warning to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua highlights the emotional and political intensity surrounding Raila Odinga’s final journey. His remarks reveal how deeply Raila’s legacy continues to divide opinion, even in death. Whether or not Gachagua chooses to heed the warning, one thing is clear—Raila Odinga’s influence remains so powerful that it continues to shape Kenya’s political discourse, uniting some while exposing the fault lines among others.
