Gachagua: Azimio reached out to Ruto first

Says Azimio called Ruto, said they had reached a dead end, wanted an exit strategy

In Summary

• On Sunday, President Ruto extended an olive branch to Raila and proposed a bi-partisan parliamentary process on the IEBC commissioners’ recruitment.

•It is not known between President Ruto and Raila, who among the two reached out to the other first.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at KICC on March 31, 2023
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at KICC on March 31, 2023
Image: DPPS

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that it was the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition that reached out to the President for dialogue.

Speaking in Kiambu on Thursday, Gachagua said that the Opposition had reached a dead end with the demos.

"These people reached out to our President and said they have reached a dead end and they want an exit strategy and he said fine," he said.

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What followed next, the DP said Ruto called him and the other leaders and they agreed.

"We said fine. Let them call off the protests and let them talk in Parliament. Fair enough, go and discuss as per constitution within the law," Gachagua said.

It is not known who between President Ruto and Raila reached out first.

However, on Sunday, Ruto did not attend the normal church prayers he has been attending and neither did Raila show up at Ruiru where other Azimio leaders were attending a service. 

On Sunday, President Ruto extended an Olive branch to Raila and proposed a bipartisan parliamentary process on the IEBC commissioners’ recruitment.

The President also said he was ready to engage any leader.

Raila while responding to President Ruto's call for a truce laid out demands to allow for talks between the opposition and the government.

The opposition called for the immediate release of those arrested as a result of holding peaceful protests, as well as the withdrawal of court cases facing Azimio supporters over the same.

At the same time, Raila said discussions on issues raised should begin as soon as possible.

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