Azimio Leaders Criticize President Ruto for Gachagua’s No-Dialogue Stance
A portion of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leaders have requested that President William Ruto clarify whether or not he endorses the recent anti-dialogue statements made by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
The leaders, including Eugene Wamalwa (Democratic Action Party – DAP K), Mwangi wa Iria (Usawa), and George Wajackoyah (Roots), argued that bipartisan discussions would be a waste of time without the President’s support.
The leaders spoke on Thursday during the first-anniversary celebration of the life of Mama Hellen Ojow, the grandmother of industrialist Stephen Ochieng, in Kubar, Siaya County, Alego Usonga Constituency.
Wamalwa recalled that President Ruto had respectfully urged the opposition to choose dialogue over street demonstrations on April 2, 2023.
He added that Gachagua himself at one point “claimed that street demonstrations were causing property destruction” and that “dialogue is the most effective means of conflict resolution.”
Wa Iria pointed out 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-governor of Murang’a added that if the discussions are not welcomed by the State, then citizens with similar views will begin the process of secession.
Former presidential candidate Wajackoyah criticized DP Gachagua, accusing him of causing government discord.
The comments follow DP Gachagua’s dismissal of the ongoing bipartisan talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio, in which he stated that nothing will result from the dialogue that was anticipated to end the impasse between the government and the opposition.
According to the vice president, after a series of anti-government protests rocked the country, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio party, met privately with President Ruto in Mombasa and agreed to call for a ceasefire on the condition that his personal demands be fulfilled.
“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.”
Friday is anticipated to mark the resumption of bipartisan discussions at the Bomas of Kenya.
The opposition brigade is headed by Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper party, while the government delegation is led by Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader of the National Assembly.
Azimio Leaders Criticize President Ruto for Gachagua’s No-Dialogue Stance
