Clash at Burial: Raila and Gachagua Face Off
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga accosted one another at the burial of freedom fighter Brigadier John Kiboko in Ngorika, Nyandarua County, escalating the tension between the two leaders.
During the Friday event, Raila, the leader of the Azimio party, refuted claims propagated by Gachagua that he secretly met President William Ruto in Mombasa and hatched an agreement that excluded other opposition co-principals, namely Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper party and former vice president.
According to Raila, Gachagua’s outbursts were motivated by an underlying dread of the ongoing bipartisan negotiations overseen by the National Dialogue Committee.
Thus, he cautioned that Gachagua’s speculations could easily stoke controversy and foment discord within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.
“Allow Kalonzo and Kimani Ichung’wah to converse. You, Ruto, and I should abstain from the ongoing negotiations. There is nothing improper about engaging in dialogue, warned Raila to Gachagua.
Kenya Kwanza, the ruling coalition, selected Kimani Ichung’wah, the Kikuyu MP and majority leader of the National Assembly, to head the negotiations.
Raila accused Gachagua of violating one of the team’s guidelines, which was to refrain from disclosing the contents of the negotiations to the public.
“Every country has issues, and Kenya is no exception. Raila reaffirmed his position to engage the government in dialogue, stating, “We have faced challenges before, but we have overcome them through dialogue leading to a peaceful resolution.”
On August 22, Gachagua asserted that Raila and Ruto met in Mombasa to discuss agreements that would end antigovernment demonstrations.
In addition, he dismissed the ongoing bipartisan discussions between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalitions, claiming that nothing substantial would result from the dialogue other than Raila’s egotistical goals.
In a rebuttal, the opposition leader stated that he was not interested in a power-sharing arrangement with the current administration, as he had already served as Prime Minister in the grand coalition government from 2008 to 2013.
Raila asked Gachagua to rein in the law enforcers and ensure they adhere to constitutionalism and the rule of law, as the police were accused of using extrajudicial force to quell protestors during the anti-government demonstrations organized by Azimio.
Regarding the passing of Mau Mau veteran Brigadier John Kiboko, Raila asserted that Gachagua was unable to assist his family in their time of greatest need.
According to Raila, the family requested Gachagua’s assistance to raise Ksh600,000 to pay hospital expenses, but the DP was difficult to reach, prompting them to contact the former prime minister.
“I intervened when the hospital in Nairobi refused to admit the Mau Mau veteran because they lacked the Ksh600,000 required for admission,” Raila claimed.
“I called my physician and instructed him to guarantee that the veteran of the Mau Mau war was admitted. Due to my intervention, the elderly man was admitted to the hospital,” he continued.
Gachagua, however, refuted the claims and stated that he, the administrators of Mount Kenya, and President Ruto raised over Ksh5.5 million to assist Kiboko’s family.
The DP responded, “It is true that you agreed to be his guarantor, but when he was admitted and the bill skyrocketed, you asked them to contact me.”
Gachagua toned down his claims that Raila wanted Kalonzo excluded from the bipartisan talks, but refrained from explicitly acknowledging the former prime minister’s criticism.
“The lectures are excellent. Ichung’wah and Kalonzo should have a conversation, but we will not allow you to join our government because you will sabotage us,” warned Gachagua to Raila.
In addition, he refuted Raila’s claims that the government was using the police to injure civilians in response to opposition-led demonstrations. He assured that the State would safeguard its citizens, including the protesters.
Nonetheless, he publicly warned Raila that the government would not permit him to return to the streets under the guise of protesting and wreaking devastation.
“We will not permit you to return to demonstrations that have resulted in nationwide destruction of property and loss of life. Those who have been bitten by a black serpent should flee even if they see a black pot. It is only appropriate that I tell you directly that we fear you.
“We fear you because you discovered when we were content with our son and then turned him against us. Uhuru Kenyatta adored you until you shook hands. Uhuru was my closest friend, but when he collaborated with you, things changed,” Gachagua warned.
Clash at Burial: Raila and Gachagua Face Off