Gachagua Rubbishes Raila's Claim Of Meeting To Spark Chaos During Protests

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, March 24 shut down allegations by Azimio leader Raila Odinga that he was carrying out a secret meeting at his residence in Karen with the aim of disrupting the protests planned for Monday, March 27.

Speaking at the homecoming ceremony of Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu in Kisii, Gachagua refuted the claims stating that the protesters who would destroy property would be dealt with according to the law.

He further alleged that Raila had changed his plan on marching to State House where President William Ruto was waiting for him, claiming that he was afraid of facing him head-on.

Raila Odinga during a press conference at Capitol Hill on March 23, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

Gachagua further dared Raila to storm his office in person instead on March 27, stating that he was ready to meet him.

"He claimed he would go to State House, the President is waiting for him. Instead. (Instead), he went to the ground to destroy property... If you are afraid of meeting the President, do not destroy property on Monday, come see me at the office. 

"He is now rebuking Kimani Ichung'wah, Ndindi Nyoro and me because we have decided that property will not be destroyed. Now he is attacking us. We do not have the time, we are in the Government and follow the law, the police will deal with him," he shot back.

The firm Deputy President further cautioned Raila against rattling his allies, urging him to inquire from former President Uhuru Kenyatta about their character.

"If you want to know the true colours of Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichngu'wah ask Uhuru Kenyatta, he will tell you the real definition of these young men. Let him leave Nyoro and Ichung'wah alone because they are juniors. He should come for me," Gachagua challenged.

The former Prime Minister had on Thursday, March 23 claimed that the Azimio coalition was in possession of authentic information that Gachagua had invited several youths to the meeting with instructions to counter the demonstrators during the mass protests.

He further noted that the plan would involve issuing the youth with uniforms similar to those worn by its youth movement, the Movement for the Defence of Democracy (MDD), which would allow them to join the protests without being spotted easily.

"We have very authentic information that on Tuesday evening, Mr Rigathi Gachagua convened a meeting at his residence in Karen and in attendance were Kimani Ichungwah and Ndindi  Nyoro. They invited youth from different parts of the country to that meeting.

"That meeting turned out to be a strategy session to plan to counter the demonstrators on Monday. The plan, according to the information we have, is that these youth are going to be given uniforms similar to those of the MDD, our movement. Then they will mix with our youth and accompany them throughout the demonstrations," he added.

The Azimio leader further claimed that the youth were ordered to kill over 1,000 people during the protests through all manner of weapons, terming this a move to give a reason for the trial of the arrested Azimio Members of Parliament to the International Criminal Court (ICC), claims that were yet to be verified.

However, National Assembly majority leader, Kimani Ichung'wah denied the claims, stating that he was still in Parliament at the time Raila claimed the meeting took place.

"I left the Parliament late and went home straight away. My daughter and I slept late and woke up early this morning, after which I came directly to work," Ichung'wah explained. 

National Assembly majority leader, Kimani Ichung'wah. /FILE