Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has detailed a strategic political Move, he believes will successfully aid ouster of President William Ruto and his ally Raila Odinga.
His remarks come just a day after President Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila, signed a Pact to bring together the ODM and UDA Parties.
Speaking at ACK Holy Trinity Church in Kitengela on Sunday, March 9, the former DP explained that he has always made the right political moves and believes he will not go wrong this time.
“I have been in every succession since 1992, from single party to multi party system. I have never gone wrong. I always do the right arithmetic. Even in 2002, when we backed Uhuru Kenyatta, we knew he would not win, but we were preparing him for things ahead,” said Gachagua.
According to Gachagua, while the president had joined hands with the former prime minister, members of the opposition still had more numbers compared to those supporting Ruto and Raila.
“From what I see going on, we will do well. I have never made the wrong calculation, and even now, we are not wrong. Looking at the quality of leaders that we have and their integrity, there are not many. They have joined hands, but we are still the ones with numbers in the opposition,” explained Gachagua.
Gachagua also stated that he was not in a hurry to launch his political party because of fear of interference from the president.
According to him, the president could easily make plans to thwart his political agenda, adding that Ruto has always been a crafty man.
However, he reassured his supporters that the official launch would take place in May 2025.
“I know you are worried that I am taking too long to make the announcement on the political party. The party is ready, but I cannot make the announcement yet.”
“I know that guy (Ruto), he could come in anytime to mess up my plans. The national chairman of the new party will come from Kajiado County. We will launch it in May,” explained Gachagua.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, bringing the ODM party into a working partnership with the Kenya - Kwanza administration.
The deal, signed at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Friday, March 7, outlines several commitments between the two leaders, including the full implementation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, tackling youth unemployment and enforcing the two-thirds gender rule.
The Pact, has sparked mixed reactions in the country, with some leaders supporting the move while others called it an outright Sham.
ODM national chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga lauded the new partnership, terming it a sign of putting national interest above self.
Speaking on Friday, the Homa Bay Governor stated that while we may have different political persuasions and come from different parts of the country and different schools of thought, nobody can fault unity.
“The unity and stability and prosperity of this country is not the responsibility of a few; it is the responsibility of all of us, as a nation. And while we may have different political persuasions and come from different parts of the country and different schools of thought, nobody can fault unity. Nobody can fault equity,” she stated.
“This unity that you have put together today is not about the two of you, because Baba has seen it all; in fact, he has enough for all generations. The president has sat in all positions. So, in my thinking, this unity is for the young people, women, and the marginalised... it is for all Kenyans who have felt like they have never been part of Kenya.” she added.
Her UDA counterpart and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire echoed the remarks, further lauding the transparency of the process and the contents of the MoU.
Mbarire commended Ruto and Odinga for putting aside their differences and hardline stances for the betterment of the nation.
ODM Secretary General, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, clarified that ODM had taken the initiative to publicly outline the details of the agreement to ensure clarity and transparency.
"In the capacity as SG, I have certain constitutional duties, and that is why I am standing here to execute those duties in accordance with the constitution of ODM.
"We have taken the liberty to read out this memorandum of understanding so that we are clear on what it is and what it is not," he said.
Sifuna noted that Kenya has experienced prolonged political crises that have hindered development and that the agreement was aimed at fostering collaboration between UDA and ODM.
"Kenya has faced a long period of political crisis that has hampered development. Ruto and Raila, as leaders of the largest parties, acknowledge the need for a broad platform to collaborate and address these long-standing challenges," he added.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka claimed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has betrayed Kenyans.
Speaking at the People Dialogue Festival, Kalonzo warned that the outfit would still be rejected by Kenyans owing to the policies of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He added that it would be a betrayal if Raila fails to push for the government to compensate Kenyans who were killed and injured during the Finance Bill protests in 2023 and 2024.
"If out of what they are signing at KICC, they do not come with a formula on how to address the injustice meted on Kenyans on June 25 and 2023 that will be betrayal in the city.
"Handshake or no handshake, Ruto must go," the Wiper leader stated.
On his part, Eugene Wamalwa warned that Raila would be judged harshly, given that he had left his push to fight for Kenyans in favour of a pact with President William Ruto.
"We choose to stand on the side of Gen Z and the people of Kenya. For those who have left the opposition to join the government, history is a harsh judge. May history judge them," Wamalwa remarked.
