By Tom Mwangi, Africa editor
Nairobi, Kenya (Somalistandard) – In a surprise move, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio One Kenya Coalition, has called off the anti-government protests that have been ongoing for the past two weeks.
The decision to call off the protests was made in order to engage in dialogue with the Deputy President, William Ruto, who had suggested a bi-partisan approach to solving the IEBC selection issue.
Raila made the announcement during a press conference, where he stated that this week’s scheduled demonstrations would not take place. However, he emphasized that the decision to call off the protests was reliant on Ruto’s willingness to engage in dialogue and find a solution to the current crisis in the country.
Raila also presented an opposing proposal to President Ruto, stating that his party, Azimio, does not accept the results of the August 2022 presidential election and believes that the country is currently experiencing its worst crisis.
The decision to call off the protests comes as a surprise to many, as the demonstrations had been growing in size and intensity, with protesters calling for an end to corruption and impunity in the government.
However, Raila’s decision to engage in dialogue with Ruto has been welcomed by many as a positive step towards finding a peaceful solution to the current crisis.
The move also highlights the importance of dialogue and compromise in resolving political conflicts, rather than resorting to violence and unrest. It remains to be seen whether the dialogue between Raila and Ruto will lead to a lasting solution to the current crisis, but for now, many are hopeful that this is a step in the right direction.
Copyright ©️ 2023 Somali Standard, All rights reserved.
