Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition coalition leader, said on Thursday that his party was ready to continue protests and negotiations with the government over election amendments and the high cost of living.
Odinga put off anti-government protests in early April after President William Ruto appealed to him, but he warned that if the government did not act, they would resume within days.
Thousands of people marched in three distinct marches over the span of two weeks in late March and early April. Allegations of electoral fraud in the presidential election in August fueled the violent protests.
“The Kenyan people are unwavering. We have struck an agreement, and the talks will continue; nonetheless, I agree with the request made here today that the talks continue while the protests continue in parallel.” Odinga delivered his views during a town hall meeting in Nairobi.
“We’re not going anywhere. We can’t wait for Ramadan to be ended. After the conclusion of the protests, we will publish a statement “He was referring to the Islamic month of fasting.
The Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) Alliance, led by Odinga, and the Kenya Kwanza (Kenya First), led by Ruto, have opposing views on what should be addressed and who should lead the negotiations.
Azimio contends that MPs and citizens outside of parliament should analyze the 2022 elections and look for ways to reduce the cost of living other than the nomination of important electoral authority employees.
Kenya Kwanza advocates centering the talks on selecting election officials and just bringing lawmakers to the table.
Odinga’s efforts, according to Kimani Ichung’wah, the majority leader of parliament and a member of Ruto’s party, are intended to put pressure on the government and acquire power inside it.
Odinga has previously said that he would not participate in the current government.
“Raila (Odinga) has never had an interest in any peaceful process, and (this) is no surprise,” Ichung’wah said via text message. Everything they do might be seen as disingenuous and done in bad faith
