Bondo Resident Appeals to Gachagua to Use Raila Gravesite Visit for Kikuyu-Luo Reconciliation

A resident of Bondo has penned an open letter to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, urging him to use his upcoming visit to the late Raila Odinga’s gravesite as an opportunity to heal deep-seated political and ethnic divisions between the Kikuyu and Luo communities.

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The letter, obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, frames Gachagua’s planned December trip to Opoda farm as a moment of significant historical importance that could help bridge long-standing tensions that have shaped Kenya’s political landscape for decades.

Gachagua confirmed last week that he would visit the burial site of Kenya’s former Prime Minister during the first week of December, following consultations with Winnie Odinga. The visit comes after some Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders initially cautioned against the trip.

The Bondo native’s letter emphasizes the symbolic weight of Gachagua’s decision, particularly given the former Deputy President’s past rhetoric. During the 2023 anti-government protests, when Raila was leading the opposition, Gachagua famously declared he would “personally send Raila back to Bondo.”

“Now, Raila is permanently in Bondo, and it is extremely gracious of you to go to solemnly witness his final resting place,” the letter states. “I am sure that this is not what you meant when you said you would send him to Bondo.”

The writer urged Gachagua to approach the visit with solemnity and focus on reconciliation rather than political theater, noting that the trip is likely to attract significant national attention.

“Forget about this running with cows and shouting Jowi. Please spare Pastor Dorcas the ritual of running with the spear,” the letter reads, referencing traditional ceremonial practices that sometimes accompany high-profile political visits.

The resident also appealed to Gachagua’s sense of historical responsibility, particularly toward younger generations, suggesting that the Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP) leader’s actions could have lasting implications for national unity.

“This feud between two of the biggest communities in Kenya can derail this country. But at your high pedestal as a former Deputy President [your actions] can be powerful and endure for generations,” the letter emphasizes.

Gachagua’s relationship with the late Raila has evolved notably in recent months. On November 1, the former Deputy President praised Raila as a political master who consistently found pathways to victory even when facing apparent defeat, adding that he was working to strengthen his own party to reach a similar level of political influence.

The former Deputy President also revealed that he had intended to attend Raila’s State funeral at Kasarani Stadium on October 17 but stayed away due to security concerns.

The planned visit represents a potential turning point in Kenya’s political dynamics, as Gachagua—who once held the country’s second-highest office—seeks to navigate his new role in opposition while addressing historical ethnic and political divisions that have long defined Kenyan politics.

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