Deputy president-elect Rigathi Gachagua says Raila Odinga's absence from the swearing-in ceremony is the least of their worries.
Gachagua expressed the sentiments this Tuesday morning, hours after the ODM leader said he will not honour the invitation to the inauguration ceremony.
Speaking to the press hours before taking the oath of office at Kasarani Stadium, Gachagua said they were focused on salvaging the country's economy and had no time for what he termed as 'side shows'.
"Raila is not one of our concerns. We have a country to run and an economy to improve. Where do we get time to bother about him? He is not our priority and we don't want to get involved in side shows," Gachagua said.
"The function will go on whether he [Raila] is there or not he is the least of our worries. Kasarani Stadium was full by 5 am," he added.
On the other hand, Gachagua the country's second deputy president,t a position that was established under the new constitution, expressed optimism about the working relationship between him and his boss, Dr Willam Ruto.
"The issues that emerged between Uhuru and Ruto will not re-emerge. Ruto has spelt out my duties. As we speak, he has allocated me too much work and given me serious responsibility to compliment, listen to the people and advise him appropriately. We will have synergy," Gachagua said.
"The president-elect takes advice with humility. He also agrees to be led by juniors. He respects people working under him and sometimes when he makes a decision and MPs advise him otherwise, he listens and takes it in,"
Ruto and Gachagua will be, as the constitution requires, sworn in between 10 and 2pm as President and Deputy President respectively.
It has emerged that the duo invited their Raila to the event but he turned it down, saying he had other things to do.
"This evening, I received a letter and a telephone call from H.E Dr William Ruto inviting me to his inauguration set for tomorrow, September 13, 2022. However, I will not be available for the inauguration because I am out of the country and I also have other serious concerns," said Raila.
Instead, Raila pointed an accusing finger at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over alleged unfairness in conducting the polls.
