Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for a public inquest into the deaths of several high-profile Kenyans, questioning whether the circumstances surrounding their deaths have been adequately explained.
Gachagua made the remarks on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, while delivering an assessment of President William Ruto’s four-year administration. He singled out the deaths of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.
He said Kenyans deserved answers on what happened in cases that, according to him, remained unresolved.
“There are many high profile deaths that have occurred in Kenya and they have not been resolved and Kenyans want to know what happened,” Gachagua said.
Questions over Raila’s death
Gachagua raised a series of questions about Raila Odinga’s final days, particularly his medical treatment and the circumstances surrounding his death in India.
He questioned why Raila’s personal doctors were allegedly denied access to him during his final hours and why doctors associated with Nairobi West Hospital, which he claims is linked to President Ruto, were involved in his treatment.
He also questioned Raila’s decision to travel to India by private jet, despite claims that his personal doctor had advised against the journey.
Gachagua further questioned why no postmortem examination was conducted on Raila’s body and whether President William Ruto played any role as an executor of the former Prime Minister’s will.
He also raised questions about the speed with which changes were made within the Orange Democratic Movement following Raila’s death.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in Kerala, India. Indian authorities had reported that he collapsed suddenly while walking with family members and his personal doctor.
Gachagua’s claims come amid an already growing political debate over the circumstances of Raila’s death. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka had earlier called for a public inquest, while Siaya Governor James Orengo has also said that the circumstances surrounding Raila’s death should eventually be established.
Ogolla helicopter crash
Gachagua also questioned the circumstances surrounding the death of General Francis Ogolla, who died alongside other military personnel when a Kenya Defence Forces helicopter crashed in April 2024.
He argued that the death of a serving military commander required full transparency and accused the government of failing to release a comprehensive report on the crash.
“General Ogolla was not an ordinary citizen. He died in active duty and service to the nation,” Gachagua said.
He questioned why Ogolla had travelled in the Bell Huey helicopter involved in the crash and whether concerns over the aircraft’s mechanical condition had been adequately addressed.
Fresh claims over Ng’eno helicopter crash
Gachagua also introduced fresh allegations concerning the helicopter crash that killed former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.
He claimed he had received information suggesting that the helicopter had refuelled in Eldoret after dropping Ng’eno at Endebes.
According to Gachagua, the fuel had allegedly been transported from Lodwar by a pickup truck and was questioned by officials at the airstrip. He claimed a Kenya Revenue Authority official and a police officer who had raised questions about the fuel were instructed from Nairobi to release the driver.
Gachagua questioned whether contaminated fuel could have contributed to the helicopter developing problems at high altitude.
He called on the Kenya Airports Authority to release CCTV footage from the airstrip to help establish what happened before the crash.
Demand for public inquest
Gachagua urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to exercise his constitutional powers and initiate a public inquest into what he described as unresolved high-profile deaths during the Ruto administration.
He framed the demand as an accountability issue, saying the public had a right to know the circumstances surrounding deaths involving prominent political and security figures.
“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 Kenya that have occurred in the last four years,” he said.
However, the allegations and questions raised by Gachagua have not, in themselves, established that any of the deaths were the result of foul play.
