Raila Odinga Fires Back at Gachagua after Terming Him Inconsequential in 2027 Vote
- Raila Odinga has dismissed any chances of Rigathi Gachagua transforming Kenya to the benefit of the citizenry
- He discouraged the continued rounds of protests, saying they were counterproductive and would not solve the pressing challenges. prevalent in the country
- Raila revisited his call for a national dialogue to deliberate on the areas of concern and come up with long-lasting solutions
Bomet: ODM leader Raila Odinga has dismissed Rigathi Gachagua's insistence that he bears the solutions to the challenges pressing Kenyans.
Source: Twitter
Can Gachagua transform Kenya?
Ever since his impeachment last October, Gachagua has strived to style himself as the visionary leader Kenya needs to deal with the systemic challenges that have defeated successive regimes.
He became passionately critical of President William Ruto, his former boss, accusing him of running down the country.
Gachagua currently represents himself as the alternative to Ruto, pontificating about his ability to undo the supposed damage done by Ruto's regime.
Raila dismisses all that as empty rhetoric.
Speaking in Bomet on Saturday, July 12, Raila said solutions for the Kenyan problems lie in dialogue between the current holders of power and the public.
He observed that Gachagua is not the best placed to solve the problems faced by the country, owing to his political temperament and bias.
While appreciating the significance of demonstrations by the youth, Raila said it would not be viable to bring change at this moment.
An intergenerational dialogue cutting across sectors and cultures would work in the best interest of the country, he said.
"The time has come for Kenyans to dialogue. Kenyans must deliberate on their issues and identify where the problem is. Solutions can't be found through demonstrations. We can't be saying "Ruto Must Go", even if he (Ruto) left, that would not be the solution. Even if you bring Gachagua, he is not an option. He can't make any difference. The demonstrators are our kids; let us all engage. From the the youth, to women and men," he said.
Raila's sentiments against Gachagua came hours after the latter dismissed his significance in the 2027 presidential vote.
Can Raila Odinga influence 2027 presidential vote?
Speaking in the United States, where he is currently on a political tour, Gachagua projected a fall for Ruto that even Raila would not save him.
Source: Twitter
According to the former Mathira MP, Ruto has lost all the bastions that propelled him to power in 2022; he cites betrayal quantified by his impeachment, unfulfilled campaign promises, high cost of living, exploitative tax regimes and police excesses against unarmed civilians, among other reasons.
He observed that the president was aware of the foregoing and hence his 'desperation' to maintain Raila in his camp.
But the ODM leader would not be useful in the long run, Gachagua argued, stating that the traditional bases that traditionally rallied behind Raila were also shifting.
According to Gachagua, "the elections will be sorted out through the ballot, and I can tell you, even if they are together with Raila in the ballot, we'll beat him 70%+1."
The outspoken politician claimed Raila had erred in associating with a leader he said was growing increasingly unpopular by the day.
It was Gachagua's conclusion that Raila no longer commands considerable bases and that Ruto's fall was imminent.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
