Raila Open to Gachagua Pact Proposal, Says ODM Chair Gladys Wanga
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is open to considering a potential alliance with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, according to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Chairperson Gladys Wanga.
Speaking on NTV’s Fixing the Nation, Homa Bay Governor and senior ODM official Wanga suggested that Odinga is weighing his political options, including the possibility of working with Gachagua.
Gachagua recently expressed his willingness to collaborate with Odinga, despite the latter’s growing ties with President William Ruto’s administration. However, he emphasized that any partnership with Odinga would be unconditional, leaving the former Prime Minister free to decide his political direction.
“We have seen the former Deputy President and the others saying ‘Raila can you make up your mind, which way are you going, how are you going to do this’ etcetera,” Wanga stated.
“We are going to look at all those things. Because when you want to cooperate, you have to look at what most nearly aligns to what you believe. So I think all of that is going to be considered,” she added.
Wanga’s comments came amidst the heightened spotlight on Odinga after his declaration that he will communicate the way forward in regards to his political career in the coming weeks.
This is particularly relevant after his recent loss at the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson election.
If Raila had won the AUC election, he would have served well past the 2027 elections thus preventing him from vying for office locally.
It also reflects the broader political landscape as leaders jostle for a piece of the political cake with the 2027 General Election just around the corner.
Leaders such as Gachagua, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and People’s Liberation Party (formerly NARC-Kenya) leader Martha Karua all hinted at a powerful political alliance with the aim of dethroning President William Ruto from office. This is despite all the aforementioned declaring their intentions of ascending to the Presidency in the upcoming polls.
At the same time, Wanga maintained that Odinga would be cautious about working with Gachagua, who has in the past been accused of propagating divisive politics based on tribalism. Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024, had the count of tribalism lodged against him during his ouster trial at the Senate.
“There are some concerns or some red flags. For example, if someone says ‘us we are this region and this region will sweep seats say in a certain place like Nairobi’ then we get very afraid because ODM has always been a national movement,” Wanga posited.
Whether Raila enters into a pact with Gachagua, moves to increase his presence in Ruto’s administration, or decides against the two altogether remains to be seen. However, the recent political events point towards a bruising battle in the upcoming 2027 elections.
