Raila Dares Ruto: Talks in 48 Hours or Truce Off
This week, the truce between the government and the opposition will be put to the test. After opposition leader Raila Odinga gave President William Ruto 48 hours to begin negotiations or the opposition will resume protests.
Mr. Odinga stated that the bipartisan committee’s discussions must begin tomorrow. Otherwise, Azimio will revoke the agreement to end the protests.
The notice follows a demand for the talks. Which are aimed at, among other things, resolving the August 2022 post-election impasse, to be concluded within 30 days.
If the committee does not resume its engagement. The Azimio leader stated that the organization is prepared to explore alternative options.
Mr. Odinga pointed to their Kenya Kwanza counterparts’ reluctance to begin discussions. And accused the ruling alliance of sabotaging last week’s ceasefire due to a lack of goodwill.
“Now we are observing indications of reluctance, such as statements that they lack a quorum to begin discussions, etc. We have given them today and tomorrow, and serious negotiations must commence by Wednesday. If their delegation is not ready by Wednesday, we will consider the gentleman’s agreement null and void and investigate other options available to Azimio,” said Mr. Odinga.
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He spoke yesterday during a press conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Nairobi. Flanked by Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, and Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah.
Mr. Odinga added that they knew the removal of Eldas MP Adan Keynan from the committee was a smokescreen to placate them while the country was hosting high-profile leaders such as Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Mr. Odinga stated, “We acted in good faith last Thursday when we called off the demonstrations because Kenya Kwanza had approached us and indicated that they were ready for talks.”
“We knew that the real reason was that tourists were in town and the authorities did not want demonstrations at that time.” But we did act in good faith because they claimed to be sincere.”
The committee led by MPs Otiende Amollo and George Murugara resumed its activities on Friday, announcing the selection of attorneys Muthomi Thiankolu for Kenya Kwanza and Paul Mwangi for Azimio to serve as joint secretaries.
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In addition, they stated that both parties were committed to resolving the contentious issues and that progress had been made in determining whether the negotiations should be purely parliamentary or include other stakeholders.
Mr. Amollo announced yesterday to the Nation that the committee will meet on Wednesday.
The letter dated May 7 and sent by the Rarieda MP to the 14 members and joint secretaries states, “I humbly and cordially invite you to a meeting of the bipartisan dialogue committee to be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Bomas of Kenya.”
He stated that the meeting will continue from where they left off last week, with the framework agreement and related issues, the form of the talks, and the duration of the dialogue playing a prominent role.
Sen. Boni Khalwale of Kakamega, a member of the committee, expressed optimism that this week’s negotiations will proceed smoothly.
His counterpart in Nairobi, Edwin Sifuna, expressed optimism that the talks will yield tangible results, as there is no turning back if they fail.
Raila Dares Ruto: Talks in 48 Hours or Truce Off
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