Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, January 29, gave President William Ruto the green light to engage Azimio party leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service in Narok County, Gachagua asked Ruto to have a sit-down with Raila to plan his peaceful retirement from politics.
However, he remained categorically clear that the head of state should not enter into a handshake with the Azimio chief.
"You should only consider having only one discussion: his exit and permanent retirement from the politics of Kenya. That, you will have our blessing," Gachagua remarked.
In a gloves-off attack on Odinga, the Deputy President clapped back at the former Premier, who rubbished his self-proclaimed title of son of a freedom fighter.
Gachagua dismissed claims that the late Jaramogi Oginga was central to fighting for the freedoms of Kenyans, arguing that he was a pain in the neck to the government in charge.
"His father (Jaramogi) disturbed Uhuru's (the late Jomo Kenyatta). Raila disturbed Moi and Kibaki and landed Uhuru in a ditch and now he wants us to talk so that we can get him a position," the DP fired back.
He declared that he would, effective immediately, desist from engaging the Azimio chief and assigned the role to the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly - Kimani Ichung'wah.
On his part, President Ruto declared that he would not pay attention, nor would he fold to the sideshows of the opposition leader.
Meanwhile, Ichung'wah hit back at Odinga over his demands on the constitution of the selection panel meant to pick the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners.
He argued that the procedure was among those pushed during former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime and was meant to benefit Azimio through the recruitment of the Cherera Four.
During the Kamukunji declaration, Odinga made it absolutely clear that he had no interest whatsoever to enter into a handshake with the government.
He declared that he did not recognise Ruto as the head of state and demanded his immediate resignation and that of his appointees.
