Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has continued to change his stance on opposition chief Raila Odinga, days after the former Prime Minister renewed his relationship with President William Ruto.
Gachagua who is accompanying President Ruto as he concludes his tour of the Nyanza region on Saturday, August 31, 2024, heaped praises on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader.
Gachagua on Raila
Addressing residents of Kondele in Kisumu, Gachagua said he has come to agreement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s remarks about Raila.
The second in command told the Kisumu residents that Uhuru, during the 2022 election campaigns, had told Kenyans from the central region that Raila was a good person.
Gachagua added that President Ruto has since confirmed Uhuru’s position by confirming to the country that Raila is indeed a good person after the duo joined hands to form a broad based government.
Gachagua on tussle with Kisumu
According to Gachagua, the long-standing tussle between the current administration and Kisumu residents has since been solved.
He argued that he cannot go against the position of his boss and since President Ruto has has told the nation about Raila’s good side, he would not oppose.
Gachagua further endorsed Raila’s bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.
“Nimefika hapa Kondele tuonane macho kwa macho. Ndio huyu mimi ile mtu ya mlima Kenya. Nimekuja hapa na rais wetu kwa mambo ya maendeleo. Na rais amesema Kenya tushikane tusonge mbele. Unajua nyinyi watu ya Kondele hapo mbeleni hatukuwa tunaelewana vizuri na shida yetu na nyinyi ilikuwa tu kitu kidogo na sasa tumetatua.
“Kwa sababu nyinyi mlikuwa mnataka Baba akuwe rais na mimi nilitaka mtu wangu William Ruto akuwe rais. Lakini sasa tumetatua. Unajua sisi watu wa pale kwetu, rais wa nne Uhuru Kenyatta alikuwa ametuambia Baba ni mtu mzuri, tukabishana na yeye. Huyu rais wetu amekuja amesema Baba ni mtu mzuri. Sasa marais wawili wakisema Baba ni mtu mzuri mimi naweza kupinga? Hata mimi nasema Baba ako sawa, na tunasema Baba aende Afrika,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua has been interacting with Kisumu residents during his early morning health walks, for the time he has been in the Nyanza region for Ruto’s development tour.
Gachagua was on Thursday, Friday and Saturday spotted interacting with Kisumu residents while strolling through various streets during his routine morning exercise.
President Ruto will end his tour of the Nyanza region today, Saturday, August 31, 2024.
Among the projects commissioned by President Ruto on his last day in the region are the Kisumu Marine School, the Kibos Rice Mill and the Lumumba Affordable Housing Project.
The H**d of State is expected to close his Nyanza tour by commissioning the Nyabondo T****a Centre in Kisumu.
The Nyanza tour came at a time Ruto is enjoying a newfound friendship with opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is considered the political kingpin for the Nyanza region.
At least four Raila allies were appointed as cabinet secretaries including two from Nyanza (John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, one from the coast region (Ali Hassan Joho) and one from Western (Wycliffe Oparanya).