Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s decision to skip the public farewell ceremony for the late Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium was not an act of defiance or indifference but a deliberate display of statesmanship and respect, according to Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa.
In a statement released on Saturday, Senator Thang’wa described Gachagua’s absence as a thoughtful choice rooted in emotional intelligence and an understanding of the moment’s significance. He argued that the Deputy President, a towering figure in Kenyan politics, opted to step back to ensure the focus remained on honoring Odinga’s legacy, rather than fueling political speculation.
“Kenya does not stop when Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chooses silence; it listens even more closely,” Thang’wa said. “His absence was not avoidance. It was maturity. It was the kind of quiet leadership that puts the nation before the individual, and the moment before the microphone.”
Gachagua, a revered leader particularly in the Mount Kenya region and a voice for ordinary Kenyans, commands significant influence in the national conversation, Thang’wa noted. His presence at the farewell could have shifted attention to political dynamics, overshadowing the day’s purpose: to celebrate Odinga’s contributions as a towering figure in Kenya’s history.
The senator emphasized that Gachagua’s decision was not a sign of indifference but one of reverence for Odinga, with whom he has shared decades of political history, marked by both collaboration and principled disagreements. Thang’wa revealed that Gachagua plans to pay his respects privately by laying a wreath at Odinga’s resting place in Bondo, a gesture he described as a deeply personal and dignified act.
“That is how true respect is shown—not by rushing for the podium, but by waiting for the right moment to bow with dignity,” Thang’wa stated.
The absence of the Deputy President sparked widespread discussion, with many noting that it underscored his national significance. “The fact that the country spent more time discussing who was not at Nyayo Stadium than who was present is proof of the Deputy President’s influence,” Thang’wa said. “Gachagua does not need to stand on every stage to be at the centre of the story.”
The senator concluded by framing Gachagua’s silence as a powerful form of leadership, one that prioritizes wisdom and national unity over personal visibility. “Sometimes silence is not absence. Sometimes, it is leadership,” he said.
The farewell ceremony at Nyayo Stadium brought together Kenyans from all walks of life to honor Odinga, a veteran opposition leader and key figure in the country’s democratic struggle. Gachagua’s decision, as articulated by Thang’wa, has sparked a broader conversation about leadership and the delicate balance of presence and restraint in moments of national mourning.
