Raila calls off demonstrations, says he is ready for dialogue

Addressing Journalists at his Capitol Hill offices in Nairobi last evening, the opposition boss said the Azimio top leadership had also listened to religious leaders who had asked them to give dialogue a chance.

"We acknowledge the statement made by President William Ruto calling for dialogue between his administration and the opposition for the sake of our country which was taking the wrong direction, we are ready to engage him for the good of our country," said Raila.

The former prime minister said elections are sacred and must reflect the will of the people.

Raila said Azimio agrees with Ruto to set up a bipartisan selection panel for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in order to ensure Kenyans have confidence in future elections.

Inclusion

Raila said that the lowering of the high cost of living - which has affected millions of Kenyans, and the inclusion of all communities in appointments in to public office remain key demands in their engagement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He said though they have called off the weekly protests, the rights to assemble, picket and demonstrate are enshrined in the Constitution and must be respected by all.

Raila insisted that Azimio has never organised goons to carry out destruction during peaceful protests.

Raila called for the reinstatement of the four former IEBC commissioners Juliana Cherera, Irine Masit, Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyangaya, saying that they should not be used as sacrificial lambs for standing for what they believed to be the truth during last General Election.