Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has chided Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga after he failed to appear during the anti-government protests on Wednesday.
Speaking on Thursday, July 20 in Isiolo County, Gachagua said Azimio la Umoja leaders failed to appear because the protests did not go as they had planned.
"Those people saw things had gone sideways and no one dared to step into Nairobi CBD. One of them hid in the Nairobi hospital, pretending to be admitted, while others remained in their homes then they sent other people’s children to be killed. Why can't they come themselves or send their own children?" Gachagua posed.
The second in command went on to slam Odinga after he called his supporters to the Wednesday protests at 5 pm.
“He saw the demonstrations had failed and then gave a statement while hiding saying the protests have succeeded and should end at 5 pm yet he knew nothing took place,” Gachagua added.
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The Deputy President at the same time asked religious leaders and the international community to stop pushing for dialogue between the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition.
“We want to tell our church leaders and the international community, it is wrong to ask the President to sit down with a criminal. You have caused people to lose their lives, destroyed property, and then you tell the President that you should be calmed down just because you created chaos.
"This has been happening for a long time, and the consequence is that the country’s development has been affected,” Gachagua stated.
His remarks come after Catholic bishops asked President William Ruto and Odinga to consider the resumption of bi-partisan talks with the government but in a different context.
"We appeal to President William Ruto and the right honorable Raila Odinga to give dialogue a chance. We demand that the failed bipartisan talks should be resumed in a different context that brings on board the religious leaders and some eminent persons and bodies,” the bishops stated on Wednesday.
