Kenya’s deputy president meets opposition leader first time since poll petition

Photo Courtesy: Kenya’s deputy president Rigathi Gachagua

NAIROBI, (GO)- Rigathi Gachagua - Kenya’s Deputy President, on Friday morning, held a meeting with Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga at the Moi International Airport in Mombasa County.

Dennis Itumbi-President Dr. William Ruto’s digital strategist told the press that the meeting took place.

The two leaders briefly met at the airport’s VIP holding area. This is the first time the duo has been meeting since the elections. Details of their meeting are still scanty.   

In a Facebook post, Gachagua revealed the news of their meeting after posting photos of them together.

Gachagua added, "We have tremendous respect for our senior citizens. I was delighted this morning to have a tete a tete with our senior citizen, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.". 

Raila was said to be heading to Machakos for the Azimio Parliamentary Group, and Gachagua was heading back to Nairobi after officially opening the Governors' induction workshop.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader has identified three critical concerns that the coalition will strive to address now that the outfit will make up the country's official opposition party.

He was speaking in Machakos County on Friday when he convened a meeting with the newly-elected legislators to capitalize on their majority status in Parliament to ensure that the Judiciary is saved from state capture.

Raila had asked the Azimio MPs to ensure that new reforms are introduced in the IEBC and that the House keeps the Executive's constitutional powers in check.

"We have a responsibility as Azimio to take charge because we are the majority in parliament. We have to use our majority status to keep this government in check, and if we do that, we will play the role the people elected us to play." Raila told the Azimio MPs.

He similarly continued his onslaught on the seven-judge Supreme Court bench, which upheld President William Ruto's win at the August polls, and specifically Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome, whom he claimed is having a troubled conscience for issuing what he terms as an “unconstitutional ruling.” The words that the Chief Justice used against us have never been used in our courts even in the dark days of single-party rule and state capture of the Judiciary.” Raila added.

To further question the judges’ credibility, Odinga referenced the recent claims made by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who alleged that he was subjected to threats and intimidation by a member of the seven-judge Supreme Court bench. Omtatah had earlier filed a petition supporting Raila's move to challenge the outcome of the Presidential polls.  

GAROWE ONLINE