Ruto was not serious about talks so protests will resume, says Raila

Loading Article...

For the best experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

He said the rejection of Pokot South MP David Pkosing by Kenya Kwanza demonstrated the government's lack of commitment to the process, given that he was elected on an Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya platform.

Raila said his decision to put off protests earlier this month was not a condition of the bipartisan negotiations.

"He has said that we shall see... we suspended our demonstrations because Christian and Muslim clerics pleaded with us because of their religious calendars," Raila said.

He had just returned from a week-long vacation to Dubai, arriving at 2.30pm and heading his convoy to Kibra.

"We do what our leader says, and he has told us we will resume our demonstrations on Tuesday, and that is exactly what we will do," Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua said.

"We stipulated that the cost of living must fall prior to the talks. It is the government's responsibility to guarantee that its population is nourished."

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused Ruto of orchestrating the disruption of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party, describing it as evidence of a lack of sincerity in the discussions.

"He who comes to the table of equity must do so with clean hands," Kalonzo said.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticised the negotiations, and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi warned that "there would be no turning back."

"The next time Ruto wants us to call off the protests, he must first seek people's approval," Sifuna said.

Azimio intends to hold protests in Nairobi's Central Business District on Tuesday, with its leader, Wycliffe Oparanya, advising the Nairobi Central Police Station Officer Commanding Station of the intentions.

Previous rallies have been disrupted by the police, with Ruto's declarations that he would not allow demonstrations in the city setting up ongoing skirmishes between demonstrators and the police, as well as commercial interruptions.

Raila also slammed Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome for allegedly engaging in ethnic politics in response to the opposition's criticism of his treatment of opposition protestors.

"Koome, you are our servant, and you live off our taxes. Perform your duties as a police officer. Don't let politicians take advantage of you," urged the former premier.

"We are not judging you because of your ethnicity."

The Azimio leader also weighed in on the mystery of the Shakahola fatalities, saying international investigators should be consulted in the investigation while asking Ruto to "bear full responsibility" for the deaths. "What happened in Shakahola is a massacre on a scale that has never been witnessed in the country," he said. "(Paul) Makenzi and Ezekiel (Odero) are the children, their father is in State House."