Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced that Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga and other opposition leaders will have their security reinstated after a three months.
Gachagua made this statement during a speech at Alliance High School, explaining that the security officers were temporarily called back to reinforce their colleagues who were deployed to handle the Azimio protests.
The Deputy President clarified that the reason for the three-month duration is to closely monitor Azimio’s activities and ensure that there will be no further demonstrations in the future. The decision to withdraw the security of Raila Odinga and several governors allied to Azimio, including Anyang’ Nyong’o, Ochillo Ayacko, and Gladys Wanga, was prompted by the need for more officers to manage the protests.
Raila Odinga’s security detail, which consisted of more than 10 police officers responsible for protecting him during his daily activities and guarding his residences in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Siaya, was withdrawn on July 17.
Gachagua’s announcement comes in the wake of a meeting between President William Ruto and Raila Odinga in Mombasa County, where they agreed to a truce and the resumption of bipartisan talks. The meeting aimed to set the groundwork for open and honest discussions on various issues raised by both sides, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo facilitated this initial meeting between their leadership and Kenya Kwanza.
In conclusion, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s statement indicates that the security officers will be on standby for three months until Azimio la Umoja assures the public that there will be no further demonstrations. This move follows the meeting between President Ruto and Raila Odinga, signaling a potential step towards dialogue and resolution of their political differences.