Azimio leader Raila Odinga has suspended the anti-government demonstrations that had been scheduled for Monday April 3 following calls for dialogue by President William Ruto.
Raila termed the call for talks to end the current impasse a “positive development” and agreed to a parliamentary process to address their concerns on the IEBC Selection Panel.
“We stand down demos from Monday. We are ready to embrace dialogue, we shall engage when Ruto and his people are ready to engage. We want a peaceful resolution to the problems facing this country,” said Raila.
However, he warned the demonstrations every Monday and Thursday would resume next week if President Ruto does not act fast and initiate the process of dialogue with Azimio.
“We shall engage without any form of coercion, and this process must start as soon as tomorrow,” added Raila.
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He demanded the team to oversee the parliamentary process be co-chaired by Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja and be backed by experts from outside the National Assembly.
In a media conference on Sunday night, the former Prime Minister called for strict deadlines to the process of ending the differences with Ruto that have seen Azimio lead street demos.
The opposition coalition further also demanded that the government stops the process of prosecuting those arrested during the opposition-led demos with immediate effect.
Raila maintained that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party and all Kenyans at large retain the right to picket and hold demos saying this was enshrined in the Constitution.
“We reserve the right to call for demonstrations should the process not bear fruit and if there is no meaningful engagement.”
He accused Azimio’s “political detractors” of taking advantage of their demos to target businesses and asked human rights organisations to speak out on use of force by police.
