Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has criticized opposition leader Raila Odinga’s planned ‘public consultations’.
Raila last week announced that he would be hosting a first consultation meeting with Kenyans at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi on December 7, 2022.
But according to Chelilim, popularly known as Koti Moja, the said consultations are merely mass actions.
He described the move as Raila’s old-fashioned political tactic which he said no longer applies in the country.
The county boss elected on a UDA ticket further cautioned the ODM leader against planning such meetings in Uasin Gishu.
“Hii siasa yako ni ya uzamani. Mass action hapa Uasin Gishu tumekaa. Tumekaa pamoja kwa Amani. Usijaribu kukuja Uasin Gishu Gishu,” Koti Moja said.
This is loosely translated to “Your politics is outdated. We don’t want mass actions here in Uasin Gishu. We have lived together in peace. Don’t dare come to Uasin Gishu.”
Uasin Gishu is among the counties that were heavily affected by the 2007/08 post-election violence.
Since then, the county has struggled to brush off the hotspot tag that it was branded – despite having a largely peaceful election since 2013.
No handshake
But even as the opposition plans their ‘public consultations’, the County boss argues that bringing them to the region might disrupt the peace that locals continue to enjoy.
He further claims Raila Odinga’s only intention with the new plan is to force a handshake with President William Ruto.
Koti Moja notes that this time round, he will not have his way.
“You have forced your way into past governments through the backdoor during Kibaki and Uhuru era but the person in power today does not believe in handshakes. Don’t even try it,” Chelilim told the ODM leader.
“Advise the government as a veteran leader but if you are looking for a handshake it will not be possible,” he added.
Ruto has often ruled out any possibility of allowing the opposition to be part of his government.
Concerning the planned meetings targeting his administration, the head of state on Sunday said he will ensure they are provided with security.
