Face Ruto At State House, Leave Nairobi Residents Alone- Gachagua To Raila
He also invited other Azimio principals to physically meet...
Marvin Chege 
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, May 1 urged the Azimio la Umoja Coalition leadership to keep away from residents living in the Eastlands and Southlands areas of Nairobi and instead honour their initial threat of marching towards State House during the Tuesday, May 2 protests.
Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Gachagua called for Azimio leader, Raila Odinga, to face President William Ruto head-on at State House instead of involving supporters in the suburbs of the city.
He also invited other Azimio principals to physically meet Cabinet Secretaries (CS) Aden Duale (Defence) and Kithure Kindiki (Interior).
Raila Odinga addressing Kibra residents on March 27, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA
“Stop disturbing hustlers in Eastlands and Southlands Nairobi. If you have issues to raise then face President Ruto at State House. Others can come to my office. You can also face Duale (CS Defence) at DoD or Kindiki (CS, Interior). Stop using hustlers who are going about their activities,” Gachagua said.
He also cautioned the opposition that the government will use everything in its power to prevent the destruction of property in the capital.
“President Ruto has the constitutional mandate to protect Kenyans and their property. He cannot overlook that mandate.
"Just do what you want but have in mind that the president will protect every Kenyan and their property," he cautioned, seemingly disagreeing with the police department that Azimio should not hold protests in the capital.
The DP also encouraged the opposition to embrace the bipartisan talks called by President Ruto through Parliament after his warning on Sunday, April 30 that Raila risks having the talks between the opposition and the government cancelled should he stage more protests.
Speaking during musician Muigai wa Njoroge's 25th-anniversary celebrations in Thika, Kiambu County, the DP revealed that Ruto had a change of heart after he sensed malicious intentions by the opposition.
Gachagua had specified that Azimio were dishonest because its principals aimed to hold demonstrations and bipartisan talks at the same time.
"Our members of Parliament can only engage their counterparts from Azimio in the bipartisan Parliamentary discussions when there are no demonstrations. We directed our Members of Parliament led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah that there should be no talks as long as Azimio holds the demonstrations.
He further called upon Kenyans to go to work as per usual, assuring them that the government would deal with the protests.
"I make this commitment to all our people. Show up at your places of work well assured that we will deal with those protests.
"I will start engaging them as early as 5 am. All you need to do is go out and work. Get something to take back to your families," he urged.
Raila had announced that, unlike previous demonstrations whereby Azimio circulated various informal settlements in the outskirts of the Central Business District (CBD), the Tuesday, May 2 protests would involve a march within the city, specifically four offices that include the Office of the President, The National Treasury, the Public Service Commission and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Raila Odinga addressing Imara Daima residents on March 30, 2023. /TWITTER.FERDINAND OMONDI
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