Raila allies hit back at Gachagua over U.S remarks

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is presently on a meet-the-people tour in the United States, but he has continued to cause quite the stir back in Kenya with his remarks abroad.

Gachagua last week dismissed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga's proposal for a national dialogue to solve the country's challenges, arguing that the former premier has engaged in such talks in the past without producing tangible results. 

This came after Odinga acknowledged that Kenyans are grappling with economic hardships and human rights violations and proposed the establishment of what he termed a 'national conclave' to chart a new path for the country through collective civic engagement and reform.

However, speaking to Kenyans residing in Seattle, Washington State, Gachagua claimed Odinga was opportunistic in trying to find his way into every administration through dialogue. 

"Raila is totally irrelevant in the political discourse because every election cycle, he loses and finds his way into government. He wants to be in government but doesn't want responsibility. He is there, but somebody else takes the flak," Gachagua remarked. 

"Right now, he finds things are too hot for Ruto; he tries to distance himself, but if he were a patriotic Kenyan and he meant well for our country, he would disengage from Kasongo, but he's talking when his mouth is full."

These remarks have elicited criticism from quarters allied to the former Prime Minister, with the Movement for the Defence of Democracy (MDD) now coming to Odinga’s corner.

MDD leader Victor Marende has issued a scathing response to the former DP, condemning Gachagua's utterances as "unfortunate, reckless and irresponsible."

He accused the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader of deliberately stoking ethnic divisions and launching unwarranted personal attacks on the former Prime Minister and the Luo community at large.

“Gachagua went ahead to confirm just how empty-headed he is,” Marende fired. “His claims are falsehoods, empty rhetoric and a callous sadism against the personality of Hon. Odinga and the Luo Community.”

Marende described Odinga as a “symbol of patriotism” whose push for a united Kenya remains unwavering.

“For the record, Hon. Odinga stands for Kenya and patriotism is his other name. He believes in a united Kenya and a talking nation—hence his current push for an Intergenerational National Conclave, which is a very noble and holy idea,” he said.

The MDD leader further accused Gachagua of acting as a political arsonist, saying his rhetoric threatens the fragile peace and national unity the country is striving to uphold.

“May we dwell in unity, peace, and liberty,” Marende noted, before issuing a stern warning: “But let it be clear to Gachagua and his surrogates that if they touch Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, we will deal with them, and we will be there no matter what.”