Editor's Review

DP Gachagua had maintained that they will not hold any discussion with Raila. 

Chief Administrative Secretary Dennis Itumbi now says Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was at the heart of discussions that saw President William Ruto and his rival Raila Odinga back down on their hard-line stance.  

In a statement hours, after speculations indicated that Gachagua could have been forced and (or) caught off guard by the events of Sunday, Itumbi said nothing can be further from the truth. 

He said the DP was part and parcel of every discussion that occurred on Sunday and even took part in the formulation of a statement regarding the same. 

"Riggy G was in the room all afternoon and he in-fact participated in the decision and in writing the final statement, together with seven others who I will not mention," Itumbi said. 

Raila on Sunday, April 2, called off the mass protests after President Ruto asked him to do so.

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua at State House Nairobi. 

Ruto urged Raila to give way for a Bi-partisan approach on matters they raised, specifically on the recruitment of IEBC officers. 

Raila, however, warned that they will resume protests if no significant progress is made in the next week. 

Gachagua termed the development as an act of statesmanship lauding Raila for calling off protests.

"I salute Hon Raila Odinga for calling off demonstrations and violence and choosing to pursue his issues in Parliament in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of Kenya. That is Statesmanship," Gachagua said. 

On Monday, Ruto hosted leaders of Parliament led by National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung'wah and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot. 

The meeting was to establish a framework for the bipartisan strategy on issues of concern raised by the Azimio brigade.