Outspoken opposition politician, Calvin Gaucho, on Wednesday, June 7, revealed that he was ready to meet President William Ruto to discuss the welfare of youth from poor backgrounds.
In an interview on TV47, Gaucho denied claims that he was a member of Azimio la Umoja Coalition despite actively participating in demonstrations and protests organised by its leader Raila Odinga.
He also distanced himself from Kenya Kwanza Coalition, insisting he was the leader of the vulnerable people and youth.
According to the Bunge La Mwananchi president, he worked with the Raila-led coalition because he believed the two shared the same vision for the people of Kenya but never formally joined the coalition.
“When he (President Ruto) calls me, I will meet him because the Azimio leader is Raila Odinga. I am just the ghetto president and I represent the people living in the slums. I am neither in Kenya Kwanza nor Azimio,” he stated.
Gaucho added that Ruto had to meet certain conditions before he accepted a meeting with him after learning first-hand from leaders who ruined their professional lives by warming up to politicians.
He insisted that the meeting be made public to avoid controversies and demanded the Head of State promise that he would not be used as a political stunt.
“As long as he does not use the meeting for publicity as he has done with other politicians, I will have no problem.
“If he calls me, it should be something very open to the public because the people he surrounds himself with are controversial," he explained.
The youth leader noted that he had harboured difficult questions he needed to ask the president concerning the welfare of the youth, including matters of employment and taxation.
However, he would only be able to do so if the president gave him room to criticise his decisions and not lure him into supporting the government.
“He should give me room to criticise his work and not ask me to support him politically. I want to know why our people in the slums are still suffering and why the youth are not employed,” he stated.
Gaucho also disclosed that he opposed Azimio’s decision to reject the proposed Finance Bill 2023, stating that it was important for Parliament to pass it as a lesson to Kenyans for the next polls.
According to him, Kenyans would only learn by experiencing the tough consequences of their electoral choices.
“Azimio leaders are against the Bill, but I support it fully. When Kenyans suffer due to the bill, they will learn not to make the same mistake next time during elections.
“Kenyans accepted Ruto because he was a man of God and a prophet. Why would they reject his ideas now? Why would we reject a prophet?” he ridiculed.
Gaucho rose to prominence during the Azimio la Umoja protests and impressed former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who promised to buy him lunch.
