Diplomatic Summit: Azimio Leaders Engage Global Envoys
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka conferred with diplomats at his Karen home on Friday, July 21.
KTN was the first to disclose the details of the meeting, mere minutes after Azimio leaders led by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi claimed that the Wiper Party leader had been detained by police at his residence.
According to media reports, foreign envoys were seen entering and exiting Kalonzo’s residence, possibly to convince the opposition to end the mass protests that have paralyzed the country this week.
A journalist on the scene reported to GossipA2Z that representatives of the United Nations, United States, European Union, and Denmark were seen entering the former vice president’s residence.
Initial reports indicated that Azimio leader Raila Odinga attended the meeting, but GossipA2Z was unable to independently confirm this.
Raila refuted the reports, explaining that he was combating influenza, which prevented him from attending the demonstrations and other public events.
“I have therefore not met with any envoys, as some media agencies have reported. Today, coalition representatives Opiyo Wandayi and Jeremiah Kioni paid a visit to Kalonzo Musyoka in light of his ongoing house arrest and detention, he said.
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The details of the closed-door meeting were not disclosed immediately. Wandayi declined to comment about the meeting during a press briefing.
This is a free world in which people can move about, so I did not see them.
The meeting takes place days after foreign powers urged the government and opposition to engage in dialogue to end the fatal demonstrations.
To restore harmony, diplomats offered to mediate between Raila and President William Ruto.
On Thursday, July 20, however, Foreign Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua urged foreign powers not to seek a truce between the two leaders and instead to respect Kenya’s democracy.
“While President Ruto has the full political mandate of the people of Kenya, he agreed to the opening of a window for inter-parliamentary discussions to address some of the challenges that our country faces,” Mutua said.
Mutua emphasized that Kenya was willing to collaborate with all parties, including partners, so long as democracy was respected for peace to prevail.
During a rally, President Ruto accused the opposition of rejecting dialogue in favor of the streets. He added that the action was intended to undermine the economy.
Diplomatic Summit: Azimio Leaders Engage Global Envoys
