Kenya's opposition leader calls off protests, seeks dialogue

NAIROBI, Kenya - Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio La Umoja - One Kenya Coalition, has called off the anti-government demonstrations that were planned nationwide. The decision comes after President William Ruto extended an olive branch to Odinga, proposing a dialogue to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing Kenyans.

During a press conference at his Capitol Hill office in Nairobi, Odinga confirmed that the "mother of all demonstrations" that was scheduled for April 3 has been called off for now. However, the Azimio team has demanded the immediate release of all protesters arrested during the demonstrations.

On the issue of the formation of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the opposition has accused President Ruto of reconstituting the commission without consulting other stakeholders and interested parties.

Ruto has proposed a bipartisan parliamentary process to handle the matter, emphasizing that the IEBC selection panel and the future recruitment of its commissioners should yield constitutionally and legally-binding proposals.

President Ruto, in a statement to the nation, urged Odinga to call off the demonstrations and give the bipartisan approach a chance to move the country forward. He pointed out that the protests that have taken place over the last two weeks have led to the death of three people, including a police officer, and injuries to at least 400 others.

The Azimio team has accepted the call for dialogue by President Ruto over the constitution of the IEBC, proposing a balanced parliamentary process co-chaired by both sides and backed by experts from outside.

"In accepting the call for dialogue, we ask that all arrests and prosecutions related to our demonstration be stopped with immediate effect. But should there be no meaningful engagement or response from Ruto to our counter-offer, we will resort to resuming our demonstrations after one week," said Odinga.

The protests that have been taking place in Kenya over the past two weeks have caused significant damage to the economy, leading to an economic collapse. This has affected not only the local population but has also raised concerns among international investors, who have been wary of investing in a country that is facing such instability.

GAROWE ONLINE