By The Weekly Vision Reporter
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has demanded public inquests into the deaths of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and other prominent Kenyans, raising questions over the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Speaking yesterday, Gachagua sarcastically “congratulated” President William Ruto for what he described as fulfilling one of his political promises – to retire Raila Odinga permanently to Bondo and dismantle the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). “You promised to permanently retire the late Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, to Bondo and finish ODM. You have succeeded in both. Odinga is permanently retired in Bondo and ODM is no more,” Gachagua said.
Raila died in India in October 2025 while receiving medical treatment. Gachagua called for a public inquest into his death, questioning why, according to claims he cited, Raila’s personal doctors were allegedly denied access to him during his final hours. He said the circumstances surrounding Raila’s death should be subjected to a transparent public inquiry to establish what happened and whether there were any failures or unanswered questions. Gachagua also raised questions about the February 2026 helicopter crash involving Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno. He claimed that intelligence available to him indicated that after dropping Ng’eno at Endebess, the helicopter travelled to Eldoret to refuel, with the fuel allegedly having been transported from Lodwar.
Gachagua questioned whether the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s refuelling could have contributed to the crash, although he did not provide publicly verifiable evidence to substantiate the claim. He also questioned the circumstances of the April 2024 helicopter crash that killed General Francis Ogolla and other military officers.
According to Gachagua, President Ruto had declined to release what he described as a full report on the crash. He questioned what the President knew about the mechanical condition of the aircraft before the fatal flight. The former Deputy President further referred to the July 2026 killing of Dr Victoria Mutiso, alleging that officers implicated in the case were assisted to flee to Uganda.
“The people of Kenya have told me to demand on their behalf a public inquest on the death of Raila Odinga and all the high-profile questionable deaths in the last four years,” Gachagua said. Gachagua also unveiled what he called a “364-day action plan” aimed at restoring what he described as Kenya’s national dignity ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election. He urged voters to demand accountability from political leaders and judge them by their record in office. He called on Kenyans to choose “accountability over excuses, delivery over promises”.
Hours later, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah launched a fierce response, attacking Gachagua’s record and questioning his credibility. Ichung’wah described the former Deputy President as “heartless, reckless, careless and malicious”, and accused him of being a “tribal tyrant” without integrity or a clear vision for the country.
“Rigathi is one person who lacks any iota of integrity,” Ichung’wah said. He questioned what Gachagua had accomplished during the two years he served as Deputy President under Ruto. “What did Gachagua do in the two years that he served this country as the Deputy President? What transformative national programme bears his name? What is your great idea for Kenya today, Gachagua?” he asked.
Ichung’wah also challenged Gachagua to present any evidence of murder, corruption or cover-ups to the relevant investigative and judicial authorities instead of making what he described as political allegations. “If you have evidence, take it to the relevant authorities,” Ichung’wah said, accusing Gachagua of engaging in “political gossip”.
The Majority Leader also revived earlier allegations concerning Gachagua’s past, including claims about his alleged involvement in planning attacks. Gachagua has previously faced various political accusations, which he has disputed.
The exchange marks an escalation in the political confrontation between Gachagua and the Ruto administration, with the former Deputy President increasingly positioning himself as an opposition voice ahead of the 2027 elections. His call for public inquests into high-profile deaths is likely to intensify debate over accountability, transparency and the handling of politically sensitive cases in Kenya.
