Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has seemingly mocked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua amid his recent impeachment troubles.
Speaking at a rally in Vihiga during ODM Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi’s thanksgiving ceremony on Sunday, Raila claimed Gachagua had fallen into the very traps he once set to block Raila from State House.
“He (Gachagua) loudly declared that he had set traps everywhere, saying there would be no handshake or half a loaf of bread. Where is he now?” Raila posed to the crowd.
When Kenya Kwanza assumed power, Gachagua had publicly boasted about strategically setting traps at State House to prevent Raila from pursuing a coalition government.
“Nimepanga hiyo Ikulu, nimeweka mitego kila corner…” (I have arranged the State House and placed traps in every corner), Gachagua had declared.
However, in August, Gachagua revealed that he had removed the traps, claiming they were no longer necessary after noticing what he described as President William Ruto’s warming relations with Raila.
During an interview with Kikuyu radio stations, Gachagua stated that his traps had initially been so effective that the first meeting between Ruto and Raila took place in Uganda, far from State House.
“My boss and I had agreed to set up traps to ensure Raila didn’t join the government through the backdoor. I would check the traps every morning and evening,” he said.
He further explained that once he observed signs of a budding relationship between Ruto and Raila, he decided to step aside.
“President Ruto is in charge; that is his house. I chose to watch from a distance. My traps worked well because even when they decided to meet, it was in Uganda, away from the House on the Hill,” Gachagua added.
Raila’s remarks during the Vihiga rally underscored the ongoing political tensions between him and Gachagua, highlighting the shifting dynamics within Kenya’s political landscape.
