Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has yet again hit out at the Azimio la Umoja Coalition leadership over the planned Tuesday demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, Gachagua said Azimio Leader Raila Odinga and his team should face President William Ruto in State House instead of involving his supporters.
The DP said the opposition should also embrace the bipartisan talks called by President Ruto through parliament.
“Stop disturbing hustlers in Eastlands and Southlands Nairobi. If you have issues to raise then face President Ruto at State House. Others can come to my office. You can also face Duale (CS Defence) at DoD or Kindiki (CS, Interior). Stop using hustlers who are going about their activities,” Gachagua said.
He also warned the opposition that the government will do all it takes to protect life and property during the demonstrations.
“President Ruto has the constitutional mandate to protect Kenyans and their property. He cannot overlook that mandate. Just do what you want but have in mind that the president will protect every Kenyan and their property.”
His sentiments come a day before the planned Azimio demos, to protest the high cost of living, government appointments among other issues.
Azimio has accused the government of lack of goodwill in the bipartisan talks called by Ruto. The two sides of parliament have maintained hardline stance, with both demanding withdrawal of members from the parliamentary teams picked to lead the talks.
Raila and his supporters took to the streets close to a month ago in two successive weeks, where clashes between protesters and the police, destruction of property and loss of lives was witnessed,
The demos also interrupted normal operations in the cities of Nairobi and Kisumu, and other towns in Nyanza region where Raila enjoys support.
