Malala Fires Back After Kioni Claims Gachagua Is Ruto’s Project
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has fired back at Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni over claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is President William Ruto’s political project.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 30, Malala said Kioni’s statement was meant to create mistrust within the opposition. He asked Kioni to come out clear by backing the opposition’s push to limit Ruto to one term.
“Mr. Kioni, if you are part of the United Opposition, then your first declaration should be one term. Otherwise, you are a mole,” Malala said.
He said the opposition’s main agenda was to stop Ruto from getting a second term and accused Kioni of trying to divert attention from that. “Kioni must stop confusing us. He says Gachagua is Ruto’s man, but can Gachagua be loyal to Ruto? No way. We cannot stand with William Ruto, neither can he,” Malala said.
Kioni had earlier on Sunday, September 28 said Gachagua was secretly working with Ruto despite presenting himself as part of the opposition. According to Kioni, Gachagua has been holding private meetings with local leaders and clergy, including one in Narok County where he discussed backroom deals with Ruto’s emissaries.
Kioni alleged that during the meeting, Gachagua outlined vote projections and political negotiations, saying he could marshal up to seven million votes from Mt. Kenya, one million from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and 800,000 from former CS Fred Matiang’i and also court the Maasai community.
“He told them that William Ruto had already sent emissaries and that they were working on putting their houses in order before formal negotiations. He even spoke of the numbers he expected from different regions to bargain with,” Kioni said.
Kioni accused Gachagua of being duplicitous, saying while he presents himself as a critic of the President, he is striking deals behind closed doors.
“We want to work with genuine partners who want to send William Ruto home, not leaders who are making backroom arrangements of ‘you bring your people, I bring mine,’” Kioni said.
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Malala Fires Back After Kioni Claims Gachagua Is Ruto’s Project