Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lauded ODM leader Raila Odinga for accepting that he is now part of the opposition.
Rigathi said Raila’s sentiments welcoming former Cabinet secretary for Defence Eugene Wamalwa into the opposition three days ago is an indication that he has accepted the position.
The ODM leader said this in Bungoma, where he was accompanied by other Azimio La Umoja members in unveiling former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi as the coalition's candidate in the upcoming senatorial by-elections.
He said that was the first time that Wamalwa had attended his meetings as a party member following his end of tenure.
Rigathi said the opposition is the rightful position for Raila given to him by Kenyans during the August election.
“If he did not leave the opposition to stir the government, he would have stopped so many things such as extrajudicial killings, state capture, conflict of interest and graft,” Rigathi said.
According to the DP, the Kenya Kwanza administration wants a strong and vibrant opposition that will keep them in check.
Rigathi also said that local investigative agencies are competent enough to investigate the activities of the disbanded Special Service Unit.
He said the government will not invite the Scotland Yard to help in the probe as suggested by Raila.
Rigathi spoke during a service at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Kenol, Murang’a county that was teargassed by police officers during a visit by then DP William Ruto two years ago.
He cited the example of an incident where the now Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro were to be framed for the murder of two youths in the chaotic church service.
Rigathi, however, said that a diligent detective conducted his investigations and discovered that the two did not plan the chaos as it was being alleged.
“He was able to establish who was behind it and was ready to have them arrested but he was ordered to close the file. That’s the way we want our officers to work,” Rigathi said.
“If told to frame someone, they should refuse. That is how the police service should be run. You have our support, we will support you to do the right thing and we will never tell you frame somebody.'
(edited by Amol Awuor)
