Former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has finally spoken for the first time since skipping former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s state funeral at Nyayo Stadium.

In his message on X (formerly Twitter), Gachagua began by celebrating his wife’s 60th birthday, opening up about his family’s struggles a year earlier and their gratitude to God for renewed joy.

“We thank God for the gift of family. Happy birthday to the woman of our lives. Kevin, Keith, and I cherish your love, care, and affection,” wrote Gachagua.

Gachagua reminisced about how, on the same date last year, his family was in a dark place, overwhelmed by illness, confusion, and humiliation.

“This day a year ago, we were huddled in a hospital room, sick, humiliated, devastated, confused, betrayed, beaten, and abandoned, and you were in tears on your 59th birthday,” he said, recalling a painful past moment.

In a more hopeful tone, Gachagua expressed gratitude for divine restoration and renewed happiness within his home.

“Today, we thank God for His mercy, kindness, and favour. A year later, God has put a smile back on our faces, and our home is full of joy,” said Gachagua.

“As we celebrate your 60th birthday, our family stands as a clear testimony that God is no man,” he added.

The post came after national attention turned to his absence at the state funeral of the former opposition chief, Raila Odinga.

Gachagua had remained silent throughout the mourning period, fueling speculation about his position amid the political and national unity tributes that followed Odinga’s passing.

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Gachagua Pays Glowing Tribute to Raila Odinga

However, in an earlier post, the former deputy president finally shared his condolence message to the Odinga family and the Kenyan people, describing the late Raila as a “hero of democracy” and an “indefatigable lion of Africa.”

“Baba Raila Odinga, may you rest well. To the family, your spouse, Mama Ida Odinga, and your children, my family and I join you in prayer during this difficult moment,” said Gachagua.

“My deepest sympathies to you and to the people of the Republic of Kenya,” he stated.

Gachagua praised Raila’s decades of resilience and sacrifice for Kenya’s democratic space, calling him a symbol of courage who endured immense suffering for the nation’s progress.

“The enigma Baba, the father of our democracy and a formidable hero of Kenya’s 2nd liberation, you stood tall and strong in intellect, knowledge, and quest for democracy. You faced brutal regimes’ brutality, you were tortured, jailed, abducted, and detained severally for Kenya,” he wrote.

He added that Raila’s story will forever hold a special place in African history.

“When the history of Africa’s Pan-Africanism is written, your chapter as the indefatigable lion of Africa will attract many readers,” said Gachagua.

He further reflected on Raila’s multifaceted life of service, from academia and civil service to political leadership, describing his contributions as “indelible.”

“You dedicated your life in the service of humanity: as a political activist, a Civil Servant, a University Lecturer, an MP, a Party Leader, a Cabinet Minister, a Prime Minister and many other fronts. On all these, your trail of success and impact remains indelible,” he said.

Also Read: Obama Joins the World in Mourning Raila Odinga

A Reflection on Legacy, Democracy, and Reconciliation

Gachagua noted that Kenyans will forever remember Raila for his steadfastness in defending democracy, particularly his role in the fight for multiparty politics and the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

“It will be remembered that you were at the forefront in the fight for Kenya’s democracy and liberation of Kenya on many firsts. Most profoundly, Kenya’s multiparty democracy and the Constitution of Kenya 2010, a race you strongly stood in for, and we the people of Kenya shall never forget,” Gachagua remarked.

Despite their political differences, he expressed admiration for Raila’s ability to build and sustain a formidable political movement over the years.

“Much as we have never been on the same political side, I have had a strong admiration of Raila Odinga’s art of forming and sustaining a strong political party that survived four general elections. I remain amazed by his choice of quality legislators to fly the party flag and eloquently articulate party policies and the people they represented,” he noted.

Gachagua concluded his tribute with a poetic farewell, describing Raila as a hero who may have left physically but whose legacy will live on.

“You are a hero celebrated home and away; you have not gone, Raila Odinga, you have just faded away. Rest in peace, Baba, and may perpetual light shine upon you forever,” he concluded.

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From Left, Dorcas Gachagua, Former DP Rigathi Gachagua, The Late Raila Odinga, and The Spouse To The Late, Ida Odinga At KICC. PHOTO/ Gachagua X