Raila Odinga Rules Out Alliance with Gachagua, Hints at Possible Deal with Ruto
As Kenya’s political landscape continues to shift, opposition leader Raila Odinga has firmly ruled out any possibility of working with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, signaling a potential political realignment with President William Ruto. Raila made his position clear during a public consultation forum in Wajir on Wednesday, March 5, as he continued his nationwide engagements ahead of a major political announcement.
Gachagua’s Traps Backfire
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Raila recalled Gachagua’s past remarks in which he had vowed to block any chances of a handshake or power-sharing agreement with him.
“Halafu kuna yule aliweka mitego. Akasema ameweka mitego kila mahali State House hakuna kupita, hakuna handshake, hakuna nusu mkate. Mnataka tuende kwa huyo?” Raila asked, prompting a resounding “No!” from the crowd.
To drive his point home, Raila narrated one of his well-known ‘kitendawili’ (riddles), likening Gachagua to a man who set a trap but ultimately fell victim to his own schemes. In his story, a man set a trap to catch a rat, but instead, a venomous snake was ensnared. The snake bit him, leading to his demise. As mourners gathered, his livestock—first a hen, then a goat, and eventually a cow—had to be slaughtered to feed them.
The opposition leader used the analogy to suggest that Gachagua’s political strategies had backfired, leaving him isolated while Raila himself remained influential and continued to engage in high-profile meetings.
A New Political Direction?
Beyond dismissing any alliance with Gachagua, Raila subtly hinted at a potential working relationship with Ruto’s government. He acknowledged that many Kenyans are struggling with the high cost of living and the failing Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), issues that require urgent attention.
While he stopped short of explicitly declaring his support for Ruto, his remarks fueled speculation that he might be open to some form of cooperation. This has raised eyebrows among his supporters and critics alike, especially as he continues to hold public consultations ahead of his anticipated political declaration.
Nationwide Consultations Continue
Raila has been traversing the country, engaging Kenyans in discussions about the nation’s political and economic future. Following the Wajir meeting, he returned to Kisumu, where he is expected to conduct similar forums in Nyamira, Kisii, and Narok counties.
With growing anticipation surrounding his next move, Raila’s consultations could mark the beginning of a new political alliance that could reshape Kenya’s leadership landscape. Whether this will culminate in a formal agreement with Ruto’s government remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Kenya’s political scene is once again on the brink of a major transformation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story from Nairobian.
In other news:Parliamentary Shake-Up: Gachagua Allies Demoted as Ndindi Nyoro Loses Budget Committee Chairmanship
Raila Odinga Rules Out Alliance with Gachagua, Hints at Possible Deal with Ruto