In Kenya’s ever-dramatic political theatre, one silence has grown louder with each passing week that of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Since the burial of the late opposition icon Raila Amolo Odinga, nearly every top politician, from President William Ruto to Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua, has made a symbolic pilgrimage to his Bondo home. Yet Gachagua’s absence continues to raise eyebrows, fueling speculation about what lies beneath his calculated quiet.
Political observers argue that Gachagua’s no-show may not be a simple scheduling issue. For many, it represents a deeper political statement perhaps even defiance. Known for his blunt talk and unapologetic stand on loyalty, Gachagua has often portrayed himself as a man who moves against the tide. His critics, however, see this as political pride, a refusal to bow to the emotional unity that Raila’s death temporarily inspired across the political divide.
Some insiders whisper that Gachagua’s decision might be tied to ongoing internal rifts within the Kenya Kwanza administration. His strained relationship with certain State House operatives, coupled with a desire to assert independence, could be part of the reason he has kept away.
Still, others believe his move is strategic — a quiet attempt to appeal to his Mount Kenya base, which has historically held mixed feelings toward Raila. Whether it is pride, politics, or principle, Gachagua’s absence remains one of the most talked-about mysteries in post-Raila Kenya.
As the nation heals and leaders rally around Raila’s legacy, one question lingers: how long can Gachagua stand apart before his silence is interpreted as something more a message louder than words?