You are partners! Why speak to Ruto through media?- Gachagua to Raila

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga over his public comments on the controversial shooting directive, urging him to resolve such issues privately with President William Ruto instead of addressing the press.

Speeking during a Kenyan diaspora engagement forum in Seattle, United States, on Friday, the former DP accused Raila of political double-speak, questioning why someone who claims to be a partner in the Kenya Kwanza administration would publicly criticise a government policy instead of using internal channels.

“I've seen Raila Odinga castigating the shoot-to-kill order. How can he? President William Ruto is his partner. Why is he addressing him through the press? They are brothers. They should sit, talk, and agree that this is wrong and stop it,” Gachagua stated.

“This is your brother. You say you work together. Go to his office, drink tea, and ask to stop it.”

His Democracy for the Citizens Party had sharply criticised the Former Prime Minister's condemnation of alleged shoot-to-kill orders given to police, claiming the ODM leader has shown hypocrisy and complicity in state violence.

In a statement issued Friday evening, DCP said Raila’s remarks were “factually untenable, disingenuous, and contradictory.”

The party argued that as a key member of the Kenya Kwanza administration, Raila bears direct responsibility for its actions.

“Raila’s assertions are factually untenable, disingenuous, and contradictory,” DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malalah said.

This was after Raila stated that such actions contravene the Constitution and the principles of justice.

“In a protest or any other environment that requires law enforcement, all the above orders to shoot to kill, maim, disorient, or shock citizens are wrong,” Raila said.

Raila urged the government and police leadership to focus on lawful arrests and presenting suspects before courts, rather than resorting to excessive or lethal force.

“Let’s prioritise arrests and arraignment in courts over the killing, maiming, or brutalising of suspects. This preserves the dignity and respects the human rights of suspects while at the same time confers credibility to the actions of the State,” he added.