Piece by: CHARLES MGHENYI

30 March 2023

• He said Raila has over the years been forcing his way into government through the backdoor.

• He said Raila frustrated Kanu goverment of late President Daniel Moi in 1982 and 1997. He frustrated former late President Mwai Kibaki in 2007 and later former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018.

The only discussion we will have with opposition leader Raila Odinga, is how he will exit Kenya's political space, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said.

Gachagua, who is in Mombasa to commission some 500 Kenyan seafarers to join international shipping lines, said Raila has been unfair to the people of Kenya.

"Raila you have been unfair to the people of Kenya, and we want to invite you for a meeting with President William Ruto to discuss your exit from Kenya's political space," said Gachagua.

He said Raila has over the years been forcing his way into government through the backdoor.

He said Raila frustrated Kanu's government of the late President Daniel Moi in 1982 and 1997. He frustrated former late President Mwai Kibaki in 2007 and later former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018.

"I want to say from Mombasa, there will be no power sharing. Our constitution has no provision for Raila to join government through the backdoor," he said.

He said the only way to get into power is through the ballot, adding that Kenyans voted in the August 9 general election.

The DP said they have been approached by the international community and the clergy to engage Raila in a dialogue.

However, he insisted the talks will not be about giving Raila a position in government.

Gachagua said despite the Coastal region voting overwhelmingly for Raila in the last three general elections, residents have refused to go into the streets to demonstrate.

"The coast people, despite voting for Raila, have refused to follow his bad manners," said the DP.