Raila Invited To Talks With Ruto On Exiting Politics

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, January 29 allowed President William Ruto to have discussions with Azimio party leader Raila Odinga, except in cases where the handshake deal would be involved.

Speaking during a thanksgiving service in Narok County, Gachagua revealed that he allowed Ruto to hold talks with Raila regarding his departure and permanent retirement from politics.

He however warned his boss against entering a handshake deal with Raila, which both parties claimed had tarnished the reputation of the previous government.

DP Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto during a thanksgiving service at the Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok County on January 29, 2023. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

"Do not accept to have a handshake with him, but if you meet with him because he is a Kenyan citizen, you should have only one discussion, to discuss his exit from politics and permanent retirement from the politics of Kenya. That you have our support," he addressed.

Turning to Raila, Gachagua maintained that he should continue with his mandate of providing oversight to the Kenya Kwanza government and correct them where they went wrong.

He further dismissed claims by the former premier that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was central to the fight for the freedoms of Kenyans, arguing that he was the one who constantly interfered with the government in power at that time.

"He wants a handshake, he disturbed his father (Jaramogi) and he disturbed Uhuru's father (the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta). Raila disturbed Moi and disturbed Kibaki, picked Uhuru and threw him in a ditch, now he wants us to talk so that we can give him a position," the DP stated in a no-holds-barred attack on Odinga, who had trashed his self-proclaimed title of the son of a freedom fighter.

He declared that he would, effective immediately, desist from engaging the Azimio chief and assigned the role to the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly - Kimani Ichung'wah.

On his part, President Ruto declared that he would not be derailed by the sideshows of the opposition leader, nor will he pay any attention.

"We are very much ready, matters to do with Kenya we will move forward and we don't need the permission of the opposition to do the work we are doing.

"The work of driving Kenya will move forward whether they like it or not because Kenya is not theirs, it is ours," he said.

He backed up Gachagua's sentiments that the opposition had used demonstrations to get selfish deals from the previous governments. 

"Here there is nothing for selfish people, there is nothing for people who are looking for positions and businesses for their families and interests of their families, there is nothing in this government," he added.

Raila Odinga greets a huge crowd as he makes his way to Kamukunji grounds on January 23, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA