Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto deliberately sought to mislead opposition leader Raila Odinga to gain a political advantage over him and his party.
Speaking at the launch of Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party in Nairobi, Gachagua claimed that Ruto had confided in him about a strategy to keep Odinga preoccupied in a political circus, ultimately derailing his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship.
Gachagua warned Odinga to be wary of the President, suggesting that he would not gain politically from their newfound working partnership with the Kenya Kwanza Government.
''On the day the man was planning to vie for the AUC job, I asked him what plans he had for him and he told me not to worry. He told me that he will 'plan' him, take him in a circus, and take over ODM,'' Gachagua claimed.
''I see it happening. so Mr Tinga (Raila Odinga) you are listening now to people who have experience and we want to give you a small hint that you should desert him,'' he added.
According to Gachagua, having once been an insider to Ruto’s political maneuvers, he gained significant insight into his strategies.
He recalled that when the President visited him, his wife grew suspicious of Ruto’s intentions and frequently questioned him (Gachagua) about their interactions.
''He used to come to our home and spend some time with us till late in the night. After seeing him off, Pastor Dorcas could ask me if I knew him well,'' he added.
''I would refute and my wife would insist that he is a fraud. We will tell the people of Kenya who he is, and they will get a chance to know him very well.''
Note: Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify the claims made by Gachagua
Gachagua has in recent weeks appeared to be appeasing Odinga to join forces with him in his bid to oppose the government.
Meanwhile, Odinga has maintained a low profile on the developments and only appeared on Tuesday this week at State House Mombasa where he announced that he would be making a political statement after consultations.
He at the same time refuted claims that the government spent Ksh13 billion to support his campaigns for the regional job.
"I have seen somebody talking about Ksh13 billion that was spent on the campaign. I don't know which world these guys live in and whether they know what a billion means," Odinga dismissed.
