Cleophas Malala Explains Gachagua’s Absence at Harambe Stars vs Madagascar Match
- The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) announced that former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua would attend the Harambee Stars match
- However, things changed when the ex-Mathira MP decided to watch the match from the comfort of his Karen home
- Following this, the DCP deputy leader, Cleophas Malala, clarified why Gachagua did not go to the Kasarani Stadium as earlier announced
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Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
The former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, was set to attend the Harambee Stars quarter-final clash against Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium on Friday, August 22.
Source: Facebook
This was supposed to be his first public appearance after his highly publicised return to the country after the conclusion of his US tour.
However, things did not happen as expected, as Gachagua failed to attend the match that was highly anticipated.
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Cleophas Malala sets record straight on why opposition leaders missed Gachagua’s homecoming
Why didn't Gachagua attend Harambee Stars match?
Speaking to TV47, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy leader Cleophas Malala stated that Gachagua and his allies did not attend the match because they had been intimidated.
While seemingly alleging state involvement, Malala stated that police officers had been deployed on key roads to prevent Gachagua from reaching the Kasarani Stadium.
"You know it is the wish of the other side for us to be divided, but we want to assure our supporters that we are united. As you can see, we had planned to go and watch the Harambee Stars match, but we have received a lot of intimidation," Malala said.
Did Gachagua watch Harambee Stars match?
Following this, Gachagua decided to watch the match from the comfort of his Karen residence.
He was in the company of the Wiper Democratic Front party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka and other political allies.
Kalonzo's presence at Gachagua's home allayed any speculations that there were cracks in the opposition.
Why didn't opposition attend Gachagua's homecoming?
This comes hours after speculations emerged on whether there were rifts in the opposition. The claims came after the members of the United Opposition failed to attend Gachagua's homecoming.
Kalonzo, the People's Liberation Party leader, Martha Karua, the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader, Eugene Wamalwa, and former public service CS Justin Muturi were nowhere to be found.
Source: Facebook
Malala took the opportunity to affirm that despite the opposition leaders' absence, they are still united.
He further stated that the members of the opposition had intended to welcome Gachagua, but they received intelligence that police were allegedly already deployed to them.
However, there were speculations that the opposition leaders did not attend the event because it would appear that Gachagua was the de facto leader.
The opposition had yet to pick its flagbearer, meaning that all leaders were co-principals.
Gachagua's homecoming was marred with chaos and drama.
This was after goons hurled stones at the ex-DP Gachagua's motorcade before the police lobbed teargas to disperse the already charged crowd.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
