ODM criticises Gachagua over remarks on President Ruto

ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga and Kisumu West MP Rosah Buyu during a press briefing in Kisumu. [Olivia Odhiambo, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has hit out at Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his recent remarks about President William Ruto, urging him to focus on service delivery instead.

The Party also distanced itself from any impeachment plans targeting the Deputy President.

During a press conference in Kisumu, ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga stated that the Party is unaware of such plans.

“Any MP can bring forward a motion, and the parliamentary group will address it. However, at the moment, we do not want to anticipate things we know nothing about. It is not within our purview,” Wanga said.

Wanga also criticised Gachagua’s decision to address the nation on television, calling it "unfair and unpatriotic." She noted that Kenyans expect the presidency, including the Deputy President, to address pressing issues affecting the country.

“Kenyans expect leaders to address challenges like youth unemployment, public sector waste, and corruption. These are issues affecting the entire country, not just one region. This is what Kenyans expect when someone from the presidency addresses the public,” Wanga added.

The Homabay County boss expressed surprise that Gachagua spent two and a half hours of national airtime discussing trivial matters, such as who was removed from a WhatsApp group, instead of focusing on urgent national issues.

She noted that even Gen Z and millennials are more concerned with the country’s pressing problems than such trivialities.

“My interpretation of the Deputy President's bitter remarks is that they stem from his earlier assertion that Kenya is a shareholding company, where only certain communities are entitled to leadership positions,” Wanga said, arguing that his frustration is since other communities are now participating in the nation’s governance, as they should be.

“Kenya belongs to all of us, and everyone should have a role in nation-building. The Deputy President must understand that he is a leader of the entire Republic, not just a particular region,” she added.

Wanga called on Gachagua to focus on issues affecting all Kenyans, such as the challenges facing fishermen in Lake Victoria, problems at the coast, and the struggles of sugarcane farmers in Western Kenya, rather than focusing on a single region.

“This is not the time to seek regional dominance; it is time for leaders to unite and address the real issues affecting Kenyans,” she said.

Governor Wanga also urged Gachagua to follow the example of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom she described as a statesman and national leader who has always represented all Kenyans.

Kisumu West MP Rosah Buyu echoed Wanga’s sentiments, expressing hope that Gachagua is experiencing a "Damascus moment." However, she noted that the Deputy President still falls short of what a true nationalist should be.

“We hoped he would denounce his previous assertion that Kenya is a shareholding company and affirm that Kenya is one united country. Unfortunately, his attempts at nationalism still fall short,” Buyu said.