'You can't even transfer an Assistant Chief!' Gachagua hits back at Raila over remarks on Meg Whitman

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out guns blazing to fault opposition leader Raila Odinga following his criticism of United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman over her remarks on the 2022 General Election.

Gachagua, speaking in Eldoret as he closed the Devolution Conference on Friday, chastised the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party chief over his threat to push for the recalling of the US envoy by her government.

According to the DP, the attack by the former premier against the Ambassador threatened the economic development of the country.

In his usual straight-firing nature, Gachagua laughed off Odinga's utterances reiterating that he (Odinga) is only but an ordinary citizen, and should not be hoodwinked into believing that he even wields the power to transfer a local administrator, let alone a whole envoy.

"We also need to be respectful to our development partners. you cannot speak in a public forum before national TV and say you have the capacity to recall an Ambassador of the United States accredited to this country by the American government; it is simply being mischievous," the deputy president said.

"As a private citizen, how do you recall an Ambassador? You cannot even transfer an Assistant Chief to your local sub-location. It is part of the denial syndrome."

According to Gachagua, the Azimio chief is still in denial after losing the 2022 General Election to President William Ruto and does not want to believe that he has no legal authority in government.

He cited Odinga’s perceived influence in the previous regime where he was deemed to be in government courtesy of the ‘handshake’, yet was actually supposed to be the opposition.

"What was happening in the handshake regime is something that nobody can comprehend; CSs and PSs were told to go and brief a private citizen on what was happening and the workings of government,” Gachagua noted.

“Treasury CS was being told to brief a private citizen about the budget...that is why that private citizen thinks he can recall the American Ambassador back to her country.”

He went on to add: "That situation is over, we have a government in place, so take up your rightful role and oversight government because that is your role."

Gachagua instead upheld Whitman's remarks that the August elections were the most credible polls in the country's history, urging the former Prime Minister to accept and move on.

The DP recalled the electoral process, emphasizing its transparency during the casting and tallying of the votes.

He, therefore, urged the Azimio political faction to wake up from their delusion and instead commend the envoy for speaking the truth.

"Whitman and other Ambassadors were at Bomas throughout the counting of votes. They had access to the public portal, had calculators, are educated and had done a bit of Mathematics. They added the numbers, they observed and were clear that the election was won fair and square and it was open, democratic, and meets the international standards," Gachagua explained.

"What the Ambassador is saying is the truth; she is being attacked and vilified by saying what everyone knows. I want to request leaders, to accept the truth and the reality and move on. Life is dynamic, not static; today you’re up, tomorrow you’re down."

The DP at the same time lauded Whitman for her role in the country's economic growth, urging her to underlook Odinga's attacks and instead focus on unlocking more opportunities for Kenya.

"Whitman, in record time, has increased the volume of trade between Kenya and the US and as of today, America is Kenya's largest trading partner in the world. She has taken time to sit with the President, unlock business opportunities and bring investors to America," he said.

"What she deserves is commendation, not vilification for being truthful. Ignore the noises and acclimate to the Kenyan way of doing things; perennial complaints yearly. She should stay focused and go on with our work."