Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, April 9, admitted to issuing directives to he police during the mass action protests held on March 27 and March 30.
Speaking in Mathira, Nyeri County, Gachagua disclosed that he instructed the police to ensure that Azimio Chief Raila Odinga's motorcade is confined in the city outskirts.
He intimated that officers were deployed in the central business district (CBD) to counter any threats to businesses.
"I was left in charge and I made a decree that the CBD was a no-go zone and Odinga did not set foot. And I told him that destruction of property will not be allowed," Gachagua stated.
The DP further addressed his relationship with Raila amid accusations by Azimio that he wanted to tarnish his name by allegedly hiring goons to infiltrate the protests.
"I have nothing against Raila Odinga, ODM, or Azimio. I have the responsibility to ensure that Ruto is not destabilised and is allowed to govern because he has the mandate to lead the people of Kenya," he clarified.
Gachagua reiterated that he would not allow President William Ruto to enter into a handshake with the former Premier.
He insisted that the current talks for a political truce were initiated by Odinga but claimed that neither he nor Ruto had engaged the Azimio Chief on a personal basis.
In a bare-knuckle attack, the Second-in-Command noted that Raila was an ordinary Kenyan who represented his own views, unlike other leaders who were elected through the ballot.
This, Gachagua explained, was the reason why President Ruto advised the Opposition Leader to seek redress on some of his concerns through bipartisan talks in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Odinga already named a team of seven led by ODM Secretary-General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna to represent Azimio in the talks.
Kenya Kwanza is yet to unveil its team for the talks. Notably, the clergy called on Raila and Ruto not to select hardliners to sit in the delegation.
