Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga’s proposal for a national dialogue to solve the country’s challenges, insisting that such talks produced useless results in the past.

Speaking to Kenyans residing in Seattle, Washington (USA), Gachagua claimed Raila was opportunistic in trying to find his way into every administration through dialogue.

“Raila is totally irrelevant in the political discourse because every election cycle, he loses and finds his way into government. He wants to be in government but doesn’t want responsibility,” said Gachagua. 

Gachagua’s remarks emerged a week after Raila  acknowledged that Kenyans are grappling with economic hardships and human rights violations and proposed the establishment of what he termed a ‘national conclave’ to chart a new path for the country.

“Right now, he finds things are too hot for Ruto; he tries to distance himself, but if he were a patriotic Kenyan and he meant well for our country, he would disengage from Kasongo, but he’s talking when his mouth is full,” Gachagua added. 

Meanwhile, the former DP emphasized that the ultimate solution to remove President William Ruto from power is through the 2027 General Election.

“The dialogue we need is in the ballot box in 2027. Raila has been in every dialogue, but the problems of Kenya don’t end. What we need is transformative leadership. It is time we persevere for two years and sort out this matter, once and for all,” Gachagua noted.

Gachagua insisted that there was no need to engage in talks with the Kenya Kwanza government because previous talks always failed.  

Raila’s proposal came against the backdrop of the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests, where several people were injured, businesses looted, property vandalized and more than 10 people were killed.