Rigathi Gachagua alleges plot to divide Kenya Kwanza leadership
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alluded to a plot to sow division in the Kenya Kwanza leadership by branding him and the National Assembly majority leader Kimani Ichungwah as hardliners amid calls by the clergy to dialogue with the opposition to end the anti-government protests.
The opposition on March 20, 2023, staged mass demonstrations to protest the high cost of living and the electoral injustice.
Led by Raila Odinga, the Azimio group has promised to organize more protests to force the Kenya Kwanza to act on the high cost of living.
On Wednesday, members of the clergy piled pressure on the two rival camps to hold talks to end disharmony.
But while ruling out any talks with opposition leader Raila Odinga, Mr Gachugua said they will not dialogue on the presidential results and the possibility of having the opposition join the government.
“They are attempts to divide us by claiming that President William Ruto is willing to have talks with the opposition but there are claims I have taken a hard stand with Mr Ichungwah. I am warning them to stop dividing us because none of us is ready to be blackmailed for talks,” said the DP in Eldoret.
Mr Gachugua maintained that they will only dialogue on how Mr Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta together with their political allies will refund monies that were ‘stolen’ prior to the last General Election.
“We ask the clergy to pray for Mr Odinga and his opposition brigade to tone down and do away with the protests that are ruining our economy,” said Mr Gachagua adding they are ready to engage the opposition on how they will compensate for losses incurred during last Monday demonstrations in Nairobi.
He cautioned the opposition and their supporters against interfering with business activities, destruction, and looting property in the name of demonstrations against the rising cost of living.
“Mr Odinga has mastered the habit of instilling fear and blackmailing the sitting government but we want to make it clear to the clergy that we will not heed to their calls to dialogue with him,” added Mr Gachagua while asking the Azimio leader to retire from active politics.
The DP who flagged off 1,000 bags of relief food donated by maize farmers from Uasin Gishu asked farmers to take advantage of subsidized fertilizer by the government and the ongoing rains to increase crop production for the country to attain food security.
“It is our commitment to distribute the fertilizer close to farmers to increase production and help bring down the cost of flour,” said Mr Gachagua.
The DP was flanked by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linthuri and Governors Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) and Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Nandi senator Samson Cherargei.