Raila Accepts President Ruto’s Invitation for Dialogue, Calls Off Monday Protests

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called off Monday’s anti-government protests to pave way for dialogue with President Ruto’s administration on the issues raised by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.

In a media briefing on Sunday evening, Odinga said Ruto invited him and Azimio for dialogue on the issues the coalition has raised, among them the high cost of living.

“Today Hon William Ruto has issued what I regard as an important statement since the election. We have met and listened to a diverse group of Kenyans including religious leaders about the crisis facing our country,” he said.

He added: “Mr Ruto has asked me and Azimio to enter into a constitutional open-ended and biding dialogue with his government to find a resolution to the issues that we in Azimio have raised over the last year’s elections and key governance and cost of living issues facing our country.”

Odinga said the opposition acknowledges Ruto’s olive branch for a dialogue, terming it “a positive development.”

“I believe that Kenya is today facing its worst crisis in decades out of which we could recover or go the way of other failed states,” he stated.

"We are ready to engage, we will engage without any kind of coercion in whatever way. This process could start as early as tomorrow. In accepting the call for dialogue, we ask that all arrests and prosecutions related to our demonstrations be stopped with immediate effect.”

Odinga agreed that a balanced parliamentary process co-chaired by both sides and backed by experts from outside should proceed. 

“In our view, this committee must be composed with immediate effect with strict deadlines for resolving the crisis facing the country,” he added.