GACHAGUA QUASHES SPECULATIONS OF VISITING RAILA'S GRAVE

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims circulating online that he was set to visit the late Raila Odinga’s grave in Bondo, Siaya County, by confirming that he is in Nairobi for a Church Service.

Having missed the Nyayo and the Bondo funeral services, the DCP leader was expected to show up in Opoda farm - where Raila was laid to rest - as a sign of honour and reconciliation from any political grudges. The expectations fueled a spree of rumours alleging that Gachagua was scheduled to travel to Opoda Farm and some claiming that he is already in Bondo.

However, the former Deputy President came out negating the speculations by a clarification that he has attended a Sunday Service in House of Grace Church, Langata Road, Nairobi and not in Siaya, as had been reported.

“My family and I today joined the Christian faithful of the House of Grace Church, Nairobi, for church service. It is always a blessing to be in the house of the Lord. God bless Kenya,” Gachagua posted.

The former DP also shared photos from the Sunday service, where he attended alongside his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the gift of life and faith,captioning Jeremiah 29:11.

Gachagua's absence from Raila’s funeral had seemingly portrayed him as unwilling to settle his alleged indifferences with the late Prime Minister. The situation has since escalated into fresh political and tribal wrangles after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga declared Nyanza out of bounds for Gachagua.
However, the Odinga family, led by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, castigated the move, insisting that the former Deputy President, like any other Kenyan, is free to visit any part of the country, including Nyanza.

Comments from the alleged visit had many viewing it as a gesture that would have marked a new tone in Kenya’s often divided political landscape.

While Gachagua’s post confirms he had no plans to travel to Bondo on Sunday, it remains unclear whether he might make the visit at a later date.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Kikuyu Council of Elders led by Ndia MP George Kariuki had already visited Raila's grave on Wednesday,22 - a move interpreted as a show of honour, respect and national unity.