As Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) prepares for its largest rally dubbed Azimio La Umoja Convention, one die-hard supporter sounds an alarm over what he perceives to be lax security around the former Prime Minister.
Thousands of Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s supporters from all over Kenya have already gathered at Kasarani Sports Arena in Nairobi in readiness of the event, largely seen as perhaps the last opportunity for Odinga to seek Kenya’s presidency.
Gaucho, the self-proclaimed Ghetto President, an MCA candidate for Landi Mawe ward in Nairobi under ODM ticket, warned that supporters of his closest opponent could use the easy access to Odinga to harm him.
“Naambia wale security was Raila Odinga, lazima mkue serious, kwa sababu mtu Raila Odinga anacompete naye, si mtu nini. Ruto ni mdangerous. Ni mtu anataka power,” Gaucho said.
Translation: I’m telling Raila Odinga’s security detail to take their job seriously because the person Raila Odinga is competing against, [Deputy President William] Ruto, is a dangerous man. And he wants power.
VIDEO COURTESY OF MUTEMBEI TV
Gaucho said ODM’s desire to show support from Central Kenya has led to a situation where unvetted new supporters gain access to “Baba” even without showing much proof they’re indeed supporting him.
He compared the situation with his experience working with KANU during the fight to pass BBI. Despite their close alliance, he said they were never allowed to get close to Gideon Moi, KANU leader, and former President Daniel Arap Moi’s son.
He noted that despite Odinga having a much larger following, Moi was better protected because his security detail did not readily provide the public access to him.
“Kwanini mnaweka Raila Odinga ati kila mtu anaweza kupiga picha na yeye rahisi. Ati mtu anamtime, ati hao vijana wanamtime akishatoka kwa kanisa hivi washampea t-shirt hata ujui t-shirt imewekwa na nini. Eti avae,” Gaucho said.
“Translation: Why are you allowing easy access to Raila that just anybody can take photos with him. Some even wait for him while coming out of the church and give him t-shirts to wear, yet we don’t even know if they’ve put something [harmful] in them.
Political assassinations are rare in Kenya, but most Kenyans remember the assassination of Tom Mboya, JM Kariuki, and most recently Robert Ouko. Mboya’s and Ouko’s assassinations have especially stuck with Odinga’s supporters because they were Luos.
Gaucho, a raspy-voiced charismatic politician with excellent oratory skills, is a die-hard Odinga supporter and prides himself on being an ethical politician, principles he said he gained as Odinga’s student.
GHETTO PRESIDENT GAUCHO VS FORMER NRB GOV MIKE SONKO
Gaucho became a household name when audios surfaced of him and former Nairobi Governor Mike “Sonko” Mbuvi going against each other in a hostile insult-laden back and forth.
The feud broke out after Gaucho publicly criticized Sonko for sharing a video of a woman flashing him her breasts on social media.
In a series of audios, Gaucho shared with Hotseatnews and went viral on social media; an angry Sonko can insults Gaucho, accusing him of stealing funds meant for helping constituents and calling him an extortionist.
Gaucho denied the accusations and stated his point of view, but the feud escalated.
At one point, Sonko gave Gaucho 3 hours to apologize, or he will “anika” (expose) him and subject him to some unspecified consequences. But Gaucho refused, countering by telling Sonko that he had given him 45 minutes to carry out his threats.
Asserting his position, Gaucho told Sonko that as a Luo, he’d never apologize to anybody, especially when he’s right.
“Kwanza mimi ni Mjaluo wa Migori, sisi ndio kichwa ngumu, hatu apologize kabisa,” Gaucho said. (Translation: For starters, I’m a Luo from Migori, we’re the hard-headed Luos who don’t apologize at all).
FULL VIDEO OF DUST-UP BETWEEN GHETTO PRESIDENT GAUCHO AND FORMER NAIROBI GOVERNOR MIKE SONKO
HANDSHAKE MANENOS
It’s unclear whether Gaucho’s warning reached Odinga’s security detail or ODM top brass.
But all eyes will be on Odinga and the Azimio La Umoja event. Odinga’s likely opponent William Ruto’s supporters have dismissed the event as a failure because President Uhuru Kenyatta, widely viewed as Odinga’s main booster, will not attend
At the invitation of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hasan, Kenyatta is the chief guest in the nation’s 60th independence day.
Ruto supporters have, however, read Kenyatta’s absence as a convenient excuse to avoid being roped in the ODM-sponsored Azimio La Umoja event.
Early this week, Odinga received endorsement from Mt. Kenya business people, who put their weight behind Odinga’s elusive quest for the presidency.
However, the tycoons’ move is not embraced universally in the Mt. Kenya region.
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo downplayed the endorsement.
“The foundation has a right to make their own decisions. But the issues come up when they purport to speak on behalf of the entire Mt. Kenya region without consulting anyone,” Kabogo said according to People Daily. “We are still consulting, and we are yet to see what the people of the mountain want as their candidate.”
Odinga and Kenyatta formed an unexpected alliance in 2017, in a significant moment in Kenyan history dubbed “The Handshake.” Despite skepticism from all quarters in the Kenyan political class, their partnership has endured, and it’s now facing its biggest test.
Everybody is waiting to see whether Kenyatta, the primary beneficiary of the handshake deal, would return the favor.