ODM leader Raila Odinga will have to recognise William Ruto as President in public for him to have a sit down with him, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said.
Gachagua said they will not entertain any talks if the ODM leader does not recognise Ruto as President.
"Before we can even agree to talk to him, he must first acknowledge in public that President Ruto is the president of Kenya," he said.
The DP made the remarks during a church service at PCEA Ngorano Center Church at Mathira in Nyeri County.
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The DP said Raila is an ordinary Kenyan and they will not give him any preferential treatment.
He said the only avenue Raila has in having his demands addressed is the use of elected leaders.
"We cannot talk to him, who is he in Kenya? We are talking to him on what grounds?" he posed.
"He is just an ordinary citizen lakini kama ako na matatizo ya kibinfasi akuje tumsikilize," he added.
Rubbishing the 'Handshake' talk, Gachagua said if embraced the aim of having a general election will lose its meaning.
"Kenya is a democracy, why do we go to an election, do we spend Sh30 billion for people to elect leaders-some get elected while others are rejected"? he posed.
The statement comes even as President William Ruto is expected to hold a Parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday to propose names that will negotiate with Ruto's team.
Ruto and Raila agreed on a bi-partisan approach to addressing issues of concern.
