Oburu Odinga Urges Gachagua to End Confrontational Politics
“We need peace and we don’t want our friend to be annoyed all the time. When you see Gachagua he is always in a fighting mood,” Oburu said.
ODM party leader Oburu Odinga. Photo: Courtesy.
By Zuriel Midambo
ODM leader Oburu Odinga has called on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to abandon confrontational politics and instead focus on promoting peace and national unity after his party’s recent by-election victory.
Speaking during a public address, Oburu said the election period is over and urged political leaders to shift their attention to addressing the challenges facing Kenyans rather than engaging in constant political battles.
Oburu questioned why Gachagua continues to project what he described as a combative attitude despite emerging victorious in the recent poll, where his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election by a landslide.
“When you see Gachagua, he is always in a fighting mood. He is in a fighting mood as if something has gone wrong,” Oburu said. “But he has now won an election. When he has won an election, he should be congratulated.”
He emphasized that peace and stability are essential for economic growth and development, adding that leaders have a responsibility to unite the country despite political differences.
“We need peace and we don’t want our friend to be annoyed all the time. When you see Gachagua he is always in a fighting mood,” Oburu said.
The ODM leader noted that Gachagua had previously expressed fears that the by-election would be stolen or manipulated. However, Oburu argued that the final outcome had proved otherwise and should reinforce confidence in Kenya’s electoral process.
“He appears to be still annoyed that the election was to be stolen. Stolen by whom?” Oburu asked. “You have already won the election and the IEBC has proved that it can conduct an election with some kind of independence and some impartiality.”
Oburu said the successful conduct of the by-election demonstrated that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was capable of overseeing a credible electoral process. He urged political leaders to respect the outcome and avoid rhetoric that could heighten political tensions.
He also called for respectful dialogue among leaders, saying constructive engagement is key to strengthening national cohesion and improving service delivery to Kenyans.
“Unity, we need peace and we don’t want our friends to be annoyed all the time,” he said, adding that there was no justification for remaining in campaign mode after the election had been decided.
His remarks come amid ongoing political exchanges between government and opposition figures, with growing calls for leaders to tone down political rhetoric and prioritize issues affecting citizens, including the high cost of living, unemployment, and economic recovery.
Oburu emphasized that after an election, leaders must come together to build the nation rather than continue fighting.
Concluding his remarks, Oburu delivered a direct message to the former Deputy President, saying, “The election now is over. So Gachagua, keep your peace. Keep your peace.”
The comments are expected to add to the broader national conversation on political tolerance and the role of leaders in maintaining peace after elections.
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