Editor's Review

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Azimio leaders led by Raila Odinga, to settle for a Parliamentary Bi-partisan process or street protests. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Azimio leaders, led by Raila Odinga, to settle for Parliamentary Bi-partisan process or street protests, because they cannot have both.

Speaking on Sunday during the celebrations of 25 years in music of Muigai wa Njoroge in Thika, Kiambu County, Mr Gachagua told the Azimio leadership that they cannot have their cake and eat it.

"Our MPs can only engage their counterparts from Azimio for the Bipartisan Parliamentary discussions when there are no demonstrations. It is either a Parliamentary process or demonstrations. You cannot have the two," he stated. 

Azimio leadership has demanded for recomposition of the Kenya Kwanza MPs who will engage their counterparts in the proposed bi-partisan talks on a number of issues including reducing the cost of living, reconstituting of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, among other issues.

Mr. Odinga has also said that protests will resume alongside bi-partisan talks, which were proposed by President William Ruto, to address the concerns of the Opposition.

The Deputy President noted that the Government would not cow to threats from Azimio and the criminals who will destroy property in violence.

"You are free to go for demonstrations on Tuesday and make as much noise as you wish. But there should be no destruction of property of other Kenyans," Mr Gachagua said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with MPs Kimani Ichung'wah and Ndindi Nyoro in Thika on Sunday dancing to the tune of one Kikiyu musician. 

He affirmed that police are ready to deal with criminals, who will seek to disrupt businesses in Nairobi and other parts of the country. 

ODM leader Odinga announced on Sunday that they will proceed with the protests on Tuesday despite police ban of the demos in Nairobi. 

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said the decision to bar the protests was informed by previous ones that turned violent leading to loss of lives and destruction of properties. 

"The Azimio demonstrations were nothing but peaceful as such by this letter we are declining to allow the Azimio team the go ahead to proceed with the demonstrations and any such demonstration will be dispensed by law enforcement officers," said Bungei.