Ruto, Gachagua have diverse thoughts on talks with Raila - Otiende Amollo

Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has pointed out that there exists a variance of thought between President Ruto and DP Gachagua concerning the idea of engaging in talks with Raila Odinga.

Speaking to Spice FM on Tuesday, Amollo said Kenya Kwanza has two types of hardliners regarding a dialogue between the two leaders.

"The sense I get, and I observed it even in the bipartisan team and in their general operations, is that there is a difference of thought between the President and his deputy, especially regarding the idea of any dialogue altogether," Amollo said.

He said that those allied to President Ruto have fears of contentious talks on the 2022 elections, but want a conversation about 2027.

“The president’s side are fearful of any talks that takes us to 2022, which demands opening of servers….but want to have a conversation about 2027.”

On the other hand, Amollo says, people like deputy president Rigathi Gachagua fear that the talks will jeopardize their future.

“I get the sense that there are those like the deputy president who think that any sense of dialogue might put them in jeopardy in future,” he said.

"They have this schizophrenic fear of any discussion, and they tend to start by out rightly refusing to talk. However, this doesn't imply any form of 'nusu mkate' or handshake arrangement," the Rarieda MP added.

Amollo’s claims comes amid suspension of bipartisan talks, where Azimio dismissed calls to return to the negotiating table, insisting that their Kenya kwanza counterparts are not sincere.

According to George Murugara, who chairs the Kenya Kwanza members, the talks need to resume to enable them to deal with pressing issues facing the country.