DP Gachagua has slammed Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leadership for their plans to hold demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country on Tuesday.
DP Gachagua specifically called out Azimio leader Raila Odinga and his team, suggesting that they should have direct talks with President William Ruto at State House instead of involving their supporters in protests. He urged the oppostion to embrace the bipartisan talks initiated by President Ruto through parliament.
“Stop disturbing hustlers in Eastlands and Southands 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 at DoD or Kindiki. Stop using hustlers who are going about their activities,” Gachagua said.
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The Deputy President also cautioned the opposition that the government will take all necessary measures to safeguard both life and property during the planned 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 comments were made on the eve of the scheduled demos by the Azimio la Umoja Coalition to protest the high cost of living, government appointments, and other issues.
The opposition has accused the government of lacking goodwill in the bipartisan talks initiated by President Ruto through parliament. Both sides have maintained a hardline stance, with demands from each side for the withdrawal of members from the parliamentary teams picked to lead the talks.
Raila Odinga and his supporters have already held two successive weeks of protests close to a month ago, which led to clashes between protesters and the police, destruction of property, and loss of lives.
The demonstrations also disrupted normal operations in the cities of Nairobi and Kisumu, as well as other towns in the Nyanza region where Raila Odinga has a significant following.
