Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, September 10, implored his boss President William Ruto to push for the removal of the Presidential elections review as part of the agenda in the bipartisan talks.
Speaking at a church service in Laare town, Meru County, the Second in Command, argued that the agenda supported by Azimio would stall the talks.
The former Mathira Member of Parliament indicated that the review of the Presidential Elections was impractical.
Gachagua defended his sentiments insisting that the decision by the Supreme Court to validate President William Ruto’s victory cannot be reversed and hence the matter should be off the table.
“There is no constitutional provision for anybody to audit a General Election. That audit was done by the Supreme Court and you were declared validly elected and sworn in as the President of Kenya,” he stated.
“That we don’t agree with and we would like to ask that agenda to be dropped from those talks because the matter was concluded, you were sworn in on the 13th of September, you are doing a good job and nobody is complaining,” Gachagua added.
The Deputy President further reprimanded the opposition side led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga advising them to focus on the 2027 polls.
“We cannot allow an agenda to audit the General Election. We chose you and you won and if anybody has a doubt it is not these people (congregation).
“If they want a discussion about elections the discussion is 2027 we can have that discussion and that will be at the ballot,” he stated.
The bipartisan talks are being held by a 10-member National Dialogue Committee, 5 members representing each camp.
Led by Majority Leader Ichung’wah, Kenya Kwanza’s team comprises Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Hassan Omar, and Catherine Wambilianga.
Azimio’s side includes Kalonzo, Minority Party Leader Opiyo Wandayi, DAP Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni, and Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi.
Review of the presidential polls, 2/3 gender rule, electoral justices, restructuring of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and The National Government Constituencies Development Fund form part of the talks.
