KENYA: On Sunday, President William Ruto of Kenya urged the opposition to give negotiations with the government a chance, while his rival, Raila Odinga, urged supporters to protest in response to the rising expense of living and the electoral reforms.
Over three days, thousands of people participated in rallies marred by skirmishes between protestors and police. When Ruto barely defeated Raila Odinga in the presidential election in August, allegations of fraud led to protests.
Odinga declared that protests would pick up again after Ramadan, but Ruto’s ruling coalition has questioned the opposition’s sincerity in taking part in the negotiations.
They have defended their economic record, argued that the vote was fair, and called for an end to the protests. Ruto suggests that they should seek the outcomes that their leaders desire without causing turmoil or property damage.
The Kenya Kwanza Alliance of Ruto and the Azimio La Umoja alliance of Odinga argue over the details of the talks’ agenda and who should lead them.
Kwanza wants only politicians to participate and focus on choosing electoral authorities, while Azimio wants other participants to analyse the 2022 elections and discuss ways to lower living expenses.
Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Coalition and Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja Coalition disagree over the specifics of the agenda for the discussions and who should be in charge. Kwanza wants only politicians to participate and focus on choosing electoral authorities, while Azimio wants other participants to analyse the 2022 elections and discuss ways to lower living expenses.
Aaron Cheruiyot, the Senate majority leader, announced that negotiations would begin on Tuesday. Odinga put an end to the demonstrations in late March, but he renewed his call for demonstrations during a gathering on Sunday. He declared that if he doesn’t hear from Ruto next week, he will return to the streets.
Also Read: Kenya’s LGBTQ+ Population Achieves a Bittersweet Victory
