Raila Responds to Ruto's Meeting Invite

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has rejected presented William Ruto's olive branch. 

In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, July 26, Raila expressed doubt over Ruto's sincerity and trustworthiness. He also questioned why the president chose to extend the olive branch via social media instead of formal channels. Raila further accused Ruto of frustrating Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu's efforts to mediate between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza, despite being invited to the country by the government. 

"The President is not being serious. If he wanted to meet with me he would not have sent an invite through social media. He knows my address and telephone number and everything. He is basically just playing games. That is like his public relations exercise," the former Prime Minister remarked.

Raila reiterated that Azimio is willing to engage in talks. He blasted Ruto's appointment of representatives for bipartisan parliamentary talks as cosmetic and doubted his commitment to the process. Raila also wondered why Ruto did not pursue the talks after Azimio withdrew from them.

Raila conveyed that the anti-government protests are geared towards waking Ruto up from his political slumber. Ruto has been vocal in lauding the Kenya Kwanza government, saying that they have fixed the economy. In response to Ruto's tweet aimed at ending the political impasse, Raila said he is not interested in a share of the government but willing to engage in serious discussions for the betterment of the country.