Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed the call by religious leaders for a dialogue between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Thursday, Gachagua said Raila is blackmailing the government into a negotiation.
“Don’t request us to sanction blackmail and impunity. Because what Raila is doing is blackmailing us into talks. How can you ask us to fall into the trap of blackmail, threats and intimidation?” he asked.
“We ask our spiritual leaders to pray for Raila Odinga so that God can touch his heart and move away from the spirit of destruction and impunity,” he stated.
He added that the Kenya Kwanza party would not participate in any discussions aimed at dividing the government.
“This discussion of dividing the government by half is not possible. It cannot happen, it will not happen,” he said.
Gachagua further revealed that President William Ruto would only engage his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga regarding public funds that were allegedly misused in the past administration.
However, Gachagua maintained that they were not interested in talks over the elections and a power-sharing deal.
The DP stated that they would engage the duo over suspicious transactions that were done by senior government officials in the last administration.
“It is okay if they want us to talk with Raila. However, we must also have discussions with Uhuru Kenyatta. Let them explain to us over the Ksh15 billion that was disbursed in 15 minutes.”
“Talking about a power-sharing deal cannot happen. That is the only option. If they want to call us hardliners then there is no problem, ” he stated.
On his part, Raila reiterated that the opposition will not engage in a handshake with the government.
“Kenya Kwanza has continued to claim that all we are looking for is a handshake. We emphatically refute this unfounded rumour. This is an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans. We will not participate in a handshake with an illegitimate regime,” he said.
