By Our Correspondents
Worth Noting:
- While noting Odinga’s renewed enthusiasm in opposition is welcomed, Gachagua said his silence during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term was to blame for the deterioration of living conditions in the country.
- “It is your (Raila) duty to criticize us. However, if you had done your job of criticizing President Uhuru’s government, we wouldn’t be where we are,” he said, adding, “You abandoned your duty of oversighting the government. How can you complain about high prices yet you abandoned your role and let the outgoing government raise prices?” Gachagua posed.
- The Deputy President spoke on Saturday during the launch of Thiba Dam in Gichugu constituency, Kirinyaga County.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told opposition leader Raila Odinga that he is cause of the economic crisis that Kenyans are currently facing.
He faulted the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential candidate in the last General Election of being compromised and failing in his duties to check on Jubilee administration in its last term.
He said were it not for the handshake that swallowed the oversight duties of the then opposition, Kenyans would not be where they are economically.
While noting Odinga’s renewed enthusiasm in opposition is welcomed, Gachagua said his silence during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term was to blame for the deterioration of living conditions in the country.
“It is your (Raila) duty to criticize us. However, if you had done your job of criticizing President Uhuru’s government, we wouldn’t be where we are,” he said, adding, “You abandoned your duty of oversighting the government. How can you complain about high prices yet you abandoned your role and let the outgoing government raise prices?” Gachagua posed.
The Deputy President spoke on Saturday during the launch of Thiba Dam in Gichugu constituency, Kirinyaga County.
President William Ruto presided over the ceremony that was also attended by scores of Cabinet Secretary nominees, Governors, their deputies Members of Parliament among others.
The Deputy President averred that Odinga colluded with President Kenyatta on adventures that saw the country spend billions of shillings in activities that had no tangible benefit to the citizens.
Gachagua was responding to a tirade of attacks from Odinga over the high cost of living in the country.
“We want Raila to speak the truth. You confused the Jubilee government. You made Uhuru to channel Sh50 billion to BBI and Sh200 billion to Azimio campaigns. You joined the government and failed in your oversight duties,” Gachagua said.
He added, “We want you to criticize us based on what we are doing. Don’t talk about what you and Jubilee did”.
The National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa who also adressed the meeting urged President Ruto to ignore Odinga’s and his supporters criticism but instead concentrate on fufling the Kenya Kwanza Alliance coalition pledges to the people.
He termed Odinga’s complaints as incitement meant to turn the masses against the government.
“I want to tell you, Mr. President, ignore those who are inciting Nairobi residents on the matter of food prices. We in parliament will support you and your agenda to progressively address the issue of food prices through fertilizer subsidies,” he said.
The response from government followed intensified public engagements by Odinga who met Bunge la Wananchi, a citizen-led pressure group, at Nairobi Jevanjee gardens where he criticized the new administration for failing to address the plight of Kenyans.
On his part, President Ruto said his administration was focused on addressing various issues affecting Kenyans and fulfilling their manifesto.
He called on Kenyans to give them time to fix the messes that were occasioned by the Jubilee administration.