Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the Odinga family confirmed their support for a Mt Kenya delegation visit to Bondo, following discussions he held with Winnie Odinga, the late Raila Odinga’s daughter.

Speaking during an interview with local TV stations in Embu on the night of Sunday, November 16, 2025, Gachagua said he had spoken with Winnie Odinga, who approved the timing of the visit to take place after the conclusion of the Mbeere North by-election.

The visit, he explained, will be during the first week of December and will involve a large delegation of elders, church leaders, and political figures from Mt Kenya.

“I have accepted the call, and I have already spoken with Winnie Odinga, the daughter of Raila Odinga. I told her to allow me to finish matters related to the Mbeere by-election, and then, in the first week of December, I will lead a large delegation of elders, churches, and leaders from Mt Kenya to Bondo,” Gachagua shared.

The purpose, he said, is to mourn Raila, convey condolences to his family, and cultivate closer relations with the Luo community.

“We will mourn Raila, convey our condolences to his family, and cultivate our relationship with the Luo community. We do not have any vendetta with the Luos,” Gachagua added.

The former deputy president also heaped praises on the Odinga family for having rolled out the red carpet for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka when he visited them.

Gachagua said that several Luo leaders and Odinga family members, including Ida Odinga, James Orengo, and Ruth Odinga, have openly praised Kalonzo for being a loyal and true friend who stood by Raila throughout their 15-year relationship.

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He said the family’s acknowledgement of Kalonzo’s standing reinforced the legitimacy of the planned Mt Kenya delegation visit.

“And you saw that when Kalonzo visited the Odinga family, he was received in a big way. I am very happy with them because they told him that he was a true friend they could trust. Ida was among those who said that James Orengo, Ruth Odinga, and many others acknowledged Kalonzo because he stood with Raila for 15 years and never abandoned him. They confirmed that it was truly a genuine friendship,” Gachagua said.

Raila vendetta

Gachagua then explained that while he and Raila Odinga were not close collaborators, there was no vendetta between them.

He said that elders from his own community have advised him to build political alliances across communities, citing his previous efforts uniting the Kamba, Mijikenda, Maasai, and Kikuyu communities.

He said that he has decided to heed the elders’ call to build a stronger rapport with the Luo community, and that the first of such efforts will be his visit to Bondo.

“For me, Raila and I were not very close brothers, and we never collaborated very closely, but we had no vendetta. I have been told by elders from my community that because I am seeking political friends, and I have already reached out to the Kamba community, Mijikenda, Maasai, and others and managed to unite them with my Kikuyu community, they advised me also to reach out to the Luo community and unite them with my tribe,” Gachagua said.