Azimio leaders train guns on President Ruto over Gachagua’s anti-dialogue remarks

A section of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leaders have asked President William Ruto to make it known whether or not he supports the recent anti-dialogue remarks by his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

The leaders, among them Eugene Wamalwa (Democratic Action Party – DAP K), Mwangi wa Iria (Usawa), and George Wajackoyah (Roots), argued that it would be a waste of time to sit for the bipartisan talks without the President's goodwill.

The leaders spoke on Thursday during the first anniversary celebration of the life of businessman Stephen Ochieng's grandmother, Mama Hellen Ojow in Kubar, Alego Usonga Constituency, Siaya County.

Wamalwa recounted that it was President Ruto who had on April 2, 2023, respectfully implored the opposition to opt for dialogue instead of street protests.

He added that even Gachagua himself at some point “claimed that street demos were causing the destruction of property” and that “dialogue is the best means to dispute resolution.”

On his part, Wa Iria noted that Gachagua is “just one politician from Central Kenya whose views are not representative of the aspirations of the people” from that region.

The ex-Murang'a Governor added that if at all the talks are not welcome by the State, then like-minded citizens will begin the process to secede.

Former presidential candidate Wajackoyah lambasted DP Gachagua, accusing him of causing disunity in the government.

The remarks come after DP Gachagua rubbished the ongoing bipartisan talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio, stating that nothing will come out of the dialogue that was expected to unlock the standoff between the government and the opposition.

According to the deputy president, following the series of anti-government protests that had rocked the country, Azimio chief Raila Odinga privately met with President Ruto in Mombasa where he agreed to call for a truce but on condition that his personal demands are met.

“These talks being led by Kalonzo, there is nothing to wait from there. 2018 Raila aliendea handshake na Uhuru, hakuambia Kalonzo…hakuenda nayeye. Akaenda akatengeneza deal yake na Uhuru wakamalizana. Projects zote alitoa kwa Uhuru akapeleka kwao,” the DP said on Tuesday at the burial ceremony Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka’s mother, the late Anne Musau.

"Now ametafuta Rais juzi, hakukuja na Kalonzo. Hakuna mambo ya Kalonzo aliongea. Aliongea mambo yake, ya mtoto wake na bibi yake na watu yao. Sasa hii mazungumzo ametuma Kalonzo… pale kwa agenda hakuna mambo ya maji ya ukambani, mbolea, ama bara bara.  Kwa hiyo mazungumzo, nini iko hapo ya wakamba?”

“Sasa Kalonzo, kiongozi wa heshima, mtu amesoma, mtu wa sheria, amepewa agenda kwenda kuzungumza mambo ya kuzunguka round. Raila hakuna kitu anatafuta, alitaka tumpatie serikali nusu mkate tukasema hakuna. Alitaka ati handshake tukamwambia hakuna. Akasema ambassador tatu tukamwambia hakuna. Tukasema ukitaka pesa kidogo ya kukula we can discuss, ukienda nyumbani. Aende akiendanga.”

The back and forth comes as bipartisan talks are expected to resume on Friday at the Bomas of Kenya.

The opposition brigade is led by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, whereas the government delegation is led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.