Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told Azimio leader Raila Odinga to retire from active politics, describing him as an enemy of progress in the wake of remarks by US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman who said Kenya’s election was credible.
Gachagua said Odinga had crossed the line by telling off the US envoy who commented on Kenya’s election outcome which she described as “most credible election in Kenyan history.”
“I want to remind Odinga that William Ruto is the legitimately elected President of Kenya. You are just an ordinary person. You say you’ll fire the American ambassador to Kenya, but you don’t even have the authority to sack your assistant Chief in Bondo,” Gachagua said on the day President William Ruto also defended the US envoy.
Ambassador Whitman said Wednesday during the 10th Devolution Conference in Eldoret that Kenya’s election was the “most credible in Kenyan history” in what annoyed Odinga who told her to “stop meddling in Kenya’s affairs kicking off a storm in the Opposition.
Gachagua said Thursday that Odinga’s threats to push for the recalling of Ambassador Whitman over ‘meddling’ with Kenya’s affairs are unfounded.
While criticizing Odinga over what he scribed as attempts to undermine President William Ruto’s administration, Gachagua highlighted that Odinga’s influence was limited as an ordinary citizen.
Gachagua went on to say that Kenyans had grown tired of Odinga’s theatrics and advised him to take a break from political matters.
The Deputy President stated that upon Odinga’s retirement, he will personally see to it that the Opposition Chief is included among the Inua Jamii programme- a government cash transfer program that supports the vulnerable member of society.
DP Gachagua said that Odinga has had the tendency of threatening successive governments into yielding to his ‘selfish’ demands through blackmail but warned that this time around he will not have his way.
He added that Odinga’s attempts to sneak his way into the Ruto administration through backdoor channels will not succeed noting that the Kenya Kwanza administration is no pushover.
“I want to guarantee you (Odinga) that we (Kenya Kwanza) will not give in to your threats or intimidation. We will stay put till the end,” Gachagua said noting that the government of the day will not accept a handshake with Odinga who has contested the August 2022 presidential elections results.
Gachagua’s statement comes at a time when both sides are currently engaged in bi-partisan talks aimed at reaching a common ground amid long-standing disputes over the election and the nation’s economic state.
Gachagua’s response to Odinga comes hours after President Ruto, defended the envoy’s remarks as “facts” instead telling Odinga and his allies to “have some decorum and respect ourselves, as we demand respect from others.”
“The American ambassador said two statements of facts; she said the last election was the freest and the fairest in the history of Kenya, which is a statement of fact, she said Kenya is open for business which is also a statement of fact,” Ruto said Friday when he presided over the 2Jiajiri/GIZ Graduation Ceremony in Nairobi’s Kasarani area.
The president had earlier met Whitman alongside visiting US Senator Chris Coons at State House, Nairobi.
Referencing past instances of property destruction during Odinga-led demonstrations, Ruto deemed supporting such actions “reckless.”
He argued that such actions have undermined the nation’s economy and investment prospects.
Moreover, Ruto stated that it was wrong for Odinga to vilify the people who are creating opportunities for the country including the US, which he says has pumped billions of shillings into the country’s economy.
“We have Sh 200 billion investment from the American government. We have huge Investments from Germany and we have huge investments from other countries. We must know what our interests are, and we are must secure those interests,” he said.
While hitting out at Odinga over his characterization of Ambassador Whitman as “rogue” Ruto said the tag applies to those who have been inciting violence in the pretext of calling for government accountability.
“I was just imagining between the people who are orchestrating the destruction of property and sabotaging our economy, and those who are working with us to create investment opportunities and investment capital for the people of Kenya,” Ruto pondered.
“Between those two, I was wondering who is actually rogue. I think it’s for the people of Kenya to judge.”
Ruto’s statement comes a few hours he hosted Ambassador Whitman and Delaware Senator Chris Coons at State House Nairobi.
Senator Coons has been in the country since last week in what observers say is part of US efforts to broker a truce between the incumbent President Ruto and Odinga.
The two leaders have been embroiled in months-long dispute over the August 2022 elections and the nation’s economic state.
Senator Coons had already engaged with Odinga, with both sides entering bi-partisan discussions aimed at addressing the concerns raised by the Opposition.
Following the State House meeting Friday which also involved Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua President Ruto emphasized Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its relations with the US to expand trade and investment opportunities for citizens of both nations.
“Our mutually beneficial partnership will extend to climate change mitigation efforts and environmental conservation,” said Ruto.
