Is Raila Using Mass Action To Blackmail and Force Ruto To Share Govt With Him
The Mt Kenya Times 
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- While striking out Raila’s petition, the seven judges of the apex court noted that it had failed to meet the requisite threshold by far.
- The petition had largely been built from propaganda, rumors and unproven allegations. So, what does this man want?
- Gachagua added: We are not saying we cannot meet him. If this meeting takes place, we shall only discuss with him one agenda. His exit strategy that would herald to his permanent retirement.
- Gachagua was reacting to calls by the Catholic Bishops and a visiting US delegation on President Ruto and Raila to cede hardline stances and give a dialogue a chance.
In the wake of the ongoing street demonstrations called by Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has continued to maintain a hardline stance.
We know Raila’s game-plan is to use these mass actions to blackmail and force President William Ruto to share the government with him. There is nothing else that he wants.
Remember he used the same card and forced Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta to cave in.
This time, he should know he is dealing with a different breed of the leaders.
President Ruto and myself are descendants of freedom fighters. We are not coward. He is therefore mistaken if he thinks we can buy his fear.
Kenyans made thier decision at the ballot and elected the two of us to lead them in next five years.
Thereafter, the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld Dr Ruto’s victory.
While striking out Raila’s petition, the seven judges of the apex court noted that it had failed to meet the requisite threshold by far.
The petition had largely been built from propaganda, rumors and unproven allegations. So, what does this man want?
Gachagua added: We are not saying we cannot meet him. If this meeting takes place, we shall only discuss with him one agenda. His exit strategy that would herald to his permanent retirement.
Gachagua was reacting to calls by the Catholic Bishops and a visiting US delegation on President Ruto and Raila to cede hardline stances and give a dialogue a chance.
The US team was led by Delaware Senator Chris Coons who had played a key role in midwifing the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
Prior to this, the two leaders had rocked horns over the outcome of the presidential elections result.
Raila had even participated in ‘swearing-in’ and declared himself as the people’s president.
This time, it seems that Ruto and Gachagua are determined to bring to an end this recurring problem of Raila using the backdoor to join the government after ruining the economy and causing bloodshed through mass action.
In the chaos witnessed after the elections of 2007 and 2017, Kenya lost Sh250 billion and sh248 billion respectively.
As Gachagua noted, our constitution have no provisions of forming a ‘nusu mkate’ or ‘handshake’ governments.
Raila is pushing us to violate the constitution. He is dreaming because we cannot will cave in.
Since he assumed office, President Ruto has been reiterating his commitment to the rule of law and constitution.
The provisions of our constitution are very clear on how the country should be governed. I’m committed to follow it to the letter, he told Kenyans living Germany and Belgium during his recent state visit to the two countries.
He also shared the same message in a virtual address to the world leaders including US president Joe Biden.
I have been following up on the statements attributed to the European Union countries. This is in regard to the outcome of the August 9, 2022 presidential election.
One thing is clear. They believe the sovereign will of the Kenyan people prevailed.
Some of these countries supported Raila’s in 2007 and 2022 and even with this backing, he never succeeded.
We know his ultimate goal was to stage a civilian coup and grab power through the back door. So, does he expect to succeed now?
Today, things are even worse because he is no longer enjoying the backing of many elected leaders and Kenyans in general as they used to do.
Infact, people in the slums are turning up in large numbers in his demonstrations because of only one reason, hunger. If the government of Ruto can reduce the price of Unga, fuel and gas, this will be the end of road for Raila.
If I were Raila, I would swallow my pride and come down. Ruto has no problem with him. The only thing he needs from him is respect him and recognize him as duly elected president of Kenya.
The President has been rooting for creation of the office of official opposition leader and rallying members of parliament aligned to Kenya Kwanza government to support this proposal. If this position is created, Raila will become the pioneer holder of this office.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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