• The DP said Raila is trying to use the mass action to force a handshake which the Kenya Kwanza administration will not accept under whatever circumstances.
• "Huyu mzee akitumia njia ya kando akuje aingie kwa handshake aharibu serikali yetu, mtu ya kuulizwa ni mimi," he said.
Image: DPPS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned Azimio leader Raila Odinga that he will be arrested should he go anywhere near State House.
Speaking during the thanksgiving service in Nandi County on Sunday, Gachagua said his work as President William Ruto's principal assistant is to ensure his safety.
"Na mimi nimepanga, unajua yeye ni mtu ya kutumia njia ya kandokando. Pale ikulu nimeweka mitego kila mahali akionekana ananaswa," Gachaguia said.
(I have made arrangements as you know he likes shortcuts. I have put dragnets at State House, once he is spotted there he will be arrested)
Gachagua said Raila is trying to use the mass action to force a handshake which the Kenya Kwanza administration will not accept under whatever circumstances.
The DP said he will not allow the ODM leader to use his antics to get a handshake with Ruto because if this were to happen, he would be held responsbile.
"Huyu mzee akitumia njia ya kando akuje aingie kwa handshake aharibu serikali yetu, mtu ya kuulizwa ni mimi," he said.
(If this old man uses his sideshows and manages to get a handshake, I will be the one to be asked)
Raila has declared mass action starting on Monday to pile pressure on the government to institute a raft of changes including lowering the cost of living.
He said on Saturday during a TV interview that he will seek to deliver his message to the President at State House but will not go there with a crowd.
"If Ruto will not be at Harambee House, we will send representatives to State House, not the whole crowd," he said on Citizen TV.
He has assured the business community in Nairobi that no one will vandalise their businesses as the mass demonstrations will be peaceful.
Raila on Friday said he is not afraid to be arrested and he will no0t be intimidated into calling off the demos.
He warned the DP against mentioning his late father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in his fights with him.
"Na Raila haogopi wewe, ukisema utafanya chochote niko tayari (And I'm not afraid of you for whatever you are planning)," he said while speaking in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei warned on Sunday that all restricted areas according to the law, including the State House, will not be accessed by unauthorised persons.
"I want to underline some areas such as State House where we have heard people planning to invade or visit is covered by the laws of Kenya that it is a restricted area for unauthorised persons," he said
In an apparent response to the police boss, Raila asked his supporters to converge at the Central Business District before the start of their mass protest.
"The mass action is your right, and there is no one who should by any means take that right from you," Raila said.