This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
On Sunday, a group of Jubilee leaders expressed their discontent with Opposition leader Raila Odinga's decision to halt the dredging exercise at the Indian Ocean, citing that he had overstepped his mandate.
Speaking at a fundraiser for the Mujwa Catholic Parish in Meru, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua led the criticism, questioning whether Odinga had the authority to issue such orders.
“Your excellency, these handshake people are abusing us. We are starting to get a very interesting scenario. How can the opposition leader purport to give instructions to government officials to carry out orders. Is that even possible?” Gachagua asked.
His sentiments were echoed by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiiri and Silvanas Osoro of Mugirango South, who claimed that Odinga had taken advantage of the handshake to issue executive orders against the constitution.
“His political career had come to an end but he had to shake hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta who we elected. After the handshake he has been moving around like the president. Yesterday in Mombasa he gave an executive order. We only recognise one president and that is Uhuru Kenyatta whom we elected,” Osoro said.
Deputy President William Ruto, who was also present at the fundraiser, steered clear of the Raila issue and instead addressed development matters, assuring local residents that the national government would join hands with the Meru County Government to implement agricultural programs.
On Saturday, Odinga was at the Likoni Ferry as the African Union High Representative on Infrastructure, where he was briefed on the efforts to recover the bodies of 35-year-old Mariam Kighenda and her four-year-old daughter who drowned last Sunday.
He directed that the dredging exercise being carried out in the area be halted after being informed that it was interfering with the efforts to recover the two bodies.
“I want to give an order here that the dredging works stop immediately so that those who are working here can work without interference,” Odinga said.
He was accompanied by Transport CS James Macharia and other local leaders.
