On Sunday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pondered his dialogue with US Senator Chris Coons and disclosed that he had rejected an offer to converse with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
During an interview with Kiririmbi of Inooro TV, DP Gachagua stated that Senator Coons, who had advocated for discussions as a means of resolving the crisis in Kenya, was unable to clarify why former US President Donald Trump had not spoken with current President Joe Biden in the aftermath of the latest US election.
Gachagua rejected the proposal of a handshake between Raila and the Kwanza government, stating that the United States used a different approach to address their political issues.
I agreed that I would like to see peace prevail in Kenya… but after Trump lost, and there was a lot of unrest, why didn’t you invite him and let him have half the government?” the second-in-command asked.
“I urged him to inform Raila that we would not engage in conversations… if he wants to speak with us, he should direct his MPs to speak with our MPs.”
The former Mathira MP contended that a handshake would undermine the value of democratic elections, questioning the rationale behind holding elections if certain factions are going to protest and demand a share of the government.
As for the upcoming anti-government protests, which are expected to resume in a few weeks, the DP announced that they will be prohibited in all parts of the capital city.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Raila has threatened to file a case against Gachagua at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
At a rally on Sunday at Kamukunji Grounds, the former prime minister stated that they intend to report the DP over an assassination attempt aimed at him several weeks ago, alleging that the police who fired shots at his vehicle during the demonstrations had received instructions from DP Gachagua.