By Tom Mwangi, Africa editor
Nairobi, Kenya (Somalistandard) – In a surprise move, Kenya’s top prosecutor has dropped charges against four over their involvement in anti-government protests that took place last month.
The decision comes just a day after opposition leader Raila Odinga announced the suspension of the demonstrations, stating that he would now seek dialogue with the government.
The four lawmakers, who are all leaders of Odinga’s party in Kenya’s Parliament, were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly in late March, following weeks of chaotic street protests that left several people injured.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, lawyer Danstan Omari announced that the charges had been withdrawn “for the sake of peace, dialogue and justice between the accused persons and the state.”
The move is being seen as a significant development in Kenya’s ongoing political crisis, which has been marked by bitter disputes between the opposition and the ruling party over issues such as electoral fraud and corruption.
Many observers believe that the decision to drop the charges is a sign that the government is finally willing to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition, after months of political gridlock and violence.
It remains to be seen whether this latest development will lead to a lasting solution to Kenya’s political crisis, but it is clear that both sides are now willing to explore new avenues for resolving their differences.
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