BREAKING: Raila Odinga calls off mass protests to allow dialogue with President Ruto
Raila Odinga, the leader of the ODM, has halted nationwide protests.
In a speech to the nation on Sunday from his office in the capital, Raila described President William Ruto’s statement as “significant” and a “good development.”
This week’s Monday and Thursday protests will be postponed, according to Raila, in order to accommodate Ruto’s thoughtful offer of a meeting.
If there is no significant improvement after a week, Raila forewarned, the mass protests would continue.
Addressing the nation from State House Nairobi on Sunday, the President said he is ready to engage any leader.
He said they are willing to engage as long as Ruto and his team are ready.
“Our position is that we want to engage our brothers and sisters on the other side on issues that are important to Kenyans, them as an opposition, us as a government,” he said.
He, however, maintained that the talks must be based on sincere deliberations anchored on the rule of law.
“My door still remains open for honest, objective and sincere deliberations based on the rule of law and the Constitution,” he said.
He suggested a bi-partisan engagement in Parliament on the reconstitution of the IEBC panel within the parameters of the law and the Constitution.
