You’re just an ordinary citizen, Gachagua to Raila as he set conditions for talks
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Gachagua says Azimio leader Raila Odinga is an ordinary citizen insisting he recognize Ruto as president before they can engage in talks
Gachagua says Azimio leader Raila Odinga is an ordinary citizen insisting he recognize Ruto as president before they can engage in talks.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua says Azimio leader Raila Odinga is an ordinary citizen insisting they can never have direct engagement with him.
Gachagua appeared to suggest that despite his (Raila) influence he is not going to have any preferential attention.
“We cannot talk to him, who is he in Kenya? We are talking to him on what grounds?” he posed.
“He is just an ordinary citizen lakini kama ako na matatizo ya kibinfasi akuje tumsikilize,” he added.
The DP made the remarks during a church service at PCEA Ngorano Center Church at Mathira in Nyeri.
He said even before any discussion can happen Raila must acknowledge in public that Ruto is the president.
Gachagua added that the only avenue Raila has in having his demands addressed is the use of elected leaders.
“Before we can even agree to talk to him, he must first acknowledge in public that William Ruto is the president of Kenya… How do you talk to somebody who doesn’t recognize your legitimacy? Tell your MPs, because they are elected, to talk to ours,” said Gachagua.
Raila, he said, is not an elected leader in the country, and the issue of having talks with him cannot arise.
Gachagua advised the team to be named by the Kenya Kwanza for the bipartisan talks to listen to the concerns of the Opposition arguing he and the president have no time for other engagements outside Parliament.
He said Raila can go back to the demonstrations if he wishes as they can no longer yield further to their demands.
Rubbishing the ‘Handshake’ talk, he explained that if embraced the aim of having a general election will lose its meaning.
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This comes after Raila called off anti-government protests to instead air his grievances through a parliamentary bi-partisan process in the recruitment of commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC.
The Azimio camp has already unveiled a seven-member team that will represent the opposition in the bi-partisan talks with the government.
The team includes; Senators Ledama Ole Kina, Edwin Sifuna Enock Wambua, MPs Amina Mnyazi, David Pkosing, Millie Odhiambo, and Otiende Amollo.
The Kenya Kwanza is yet to unveil its team but is expected to do so this week after holding a Parliamentary group meeting.
Meanwhile, Raila has maintained that he would go back to the streets if the talks do not bear fruits.
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