Ruto: Ultimatum not healthy for dialogue

NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto has reiterated that the Government will not engage the opposition in any platform outside the constitutionally created institutions or heed to their dialogue demands out of threats.

Mr Ruto said Jubilee Government has no problem in engaging Cord coalition in a dialogue but the dialogue cannot be in a situation where there are conditions and ultimatums issued, which he said are uncalled for.

“If they (Cord) want a structured engagement, we have said there are institutions that we can use to engage in a constructive manner,” the deputy president said.

Kenyans, he said, are tired of talks and want action that will change their lives for the better and said there are people who want the Government to continue engaging in more talks.

Speaking during a live interview on Citizen TV Tuesday night, Ruto also said Cord leaders; among them former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has direct links with President Uhuru Kenyatta such as phone calls as well as him which he can use to have a discussion with him to layout issues he has.

The deputy president gave an example in which Raila said he had a one-hour phone conversation with the President before he flew to US and said he can use the same means and discuss about issues, noting that he and Raila often communicate.

He said that the much touted call for dialogue with the Government by the opposition has been dramatised and is marred by theatrics which makes it more impractical for the Government to engage in the said dialogue.

"If it is an honest discussion between Kenyan leaders, they (Cord) know they can get an honest discussion from us. What we do not want is discussions about mass action... I don't know we are going to do this, if you don't do this we are going to make the country ungovernable," he said.

Cord leaders have been demanding for dialogue with the Government on national issues and warned of a "tsunami" if the Government fails to call for it but the Uhuru-led administration has remained adamant.

Kenyans, he said, should be spared such kind of discussions, adding that they are only interested in service delivery and not mere talk.

Cord, he said, are free to hold their hyped Saba Saba rally scheduled for Monday next week at Uhuru Park in Nairobi but cautioned that they do not want Kenya to go through a route of mass action which could lead to losa of lives and destruction of property.