Gachagua Will Meet Raila at KICC, Discuss Way Forward - Malala

Gachagua Raila
A photo collage of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (Left) and Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga (Right).
Kenyans.co.ke

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general, Cleophas Malala, on Saturday, April 1, revealed a plan to rope Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odinga into talks. 

Malala claimed that a group of UDA leaders will, on Monday, April 3, converge at the Kenyatta International Conference (KICC) to receive Raila and his petitions to President William Ruto. 

While addressing congregants in Malava, Kakamega County, during a thanksgiving ceremony of President William Ruto's ally, Farouk Kibet, Malala noted that Azimio la Umoja protests caused a lot of panic in the country. Thus, there was a need for talks in fear of the chaos escalating. 

A photo of UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala.
A photo of UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malalah.
Cleophs Malalah

He urged Raila to consider having a dialogue with President William Ruto instead of protesting against the Kenya Kwanza government in the streets.  

"We will be going to Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) to receive Raila Odinga, and the petition that will present to us," Malala noted. 

According to Malala, President Ruto was open to talks, only waiting for Raila to present his agenda. 

The UDA Secretary-General added that Raila was welcome to the State House for talks he had previously demanded. 

"Raila does not have to go to the streets when we have avenues for talks with President Ruto. No body has refused to talk to him," Malala urged. 

It was noted that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader also had direct contact with President Ruto, but was yet to exploit it. 

Raila was asked to use his influence and reach other to the Head of State since the mass actions had destroyed lives and property. 

Malala equally condemned the burning of UDA offices in Siaya County, and asked the Political Parties Registrar to suspend political parties' fund allocations to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

UDA wants the money meant for ODM to be used to furnish the offices that were set ablaze during the anti-government protests. 

Other leaders who spoke included Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa, who urged his party leader, Raila, to consider having a sit-down with the President.  

"The demonstrations have been hijacked by goons, and so much property has been destroyed. I would like to urge my Party Leader to agree to talks with President William Ruto," Barasa noted. 

Barasa warned that the country risks sliding into anarchy should the violent demonstrations continue for the next few weeks. 

Police officers calming protestors during a riot in Nairobi on Thursday March 30, 2023
Police officers calming protestors during a riot in Nairobi on Thursday March 30, 2023
File