By John Mutiso
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has made fresh allegations concerning the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Speaking at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi while welcoming his party’s newly elected leaders from the recent by-elections, Gachagua claimed that President William Ruto has effectively bought ODM from Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, who also serves as the party’s national chairperson.
He alleged that the two leaders have already received a down payment from Ruto in what he described as the sale of the party.
Gachagua pointed to Junet Mohammed’s absence on the day ODM founder Raila Odinga passed away, suggesting it was intentional.
“Junet used to be with Raila throughout. But the day Raila died, he never went to collect his body. He reached the airport and pretended that he had gotten ill and remained behind to sell ODM. Those brokers have sold ODM,” he said.
Gachagua expressed sympathy for ODM, noting that the party’s historical strongholds are starting to slip away.
He highlighted the DCP victories in Narok Town and Kiza East, while Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secured the Purko Ward seat.
“In Kiza East you emerged number 9. In Kariobangi you emerged fourth. ODM is dead. Ruto has destroyed ODM, and we are very saddened,” Gachagua said.
He added that when he was still serving as Ruto’s deputy, the President confided in him about his intentions to weaken ODM.
Gachagua cautioned ODM against allowing what he described as the party’s sale, warning that it would leave the party a minor player confined to a few seats in Luo Nyanza.
“If you allow ODM to be sold to Ruto by Junet and Wanga, you will remain a minority party. You will only get a few seats in Luo Nyanza,” he warned.
