Africa ( COMMONWEALTH UNION ) _ The president William Ruto, the head of the Kenyan opposition, Raila Odinga, called off anti-government demonstrations and declared himself open to negotiations.
Over the past two weeks, thousands have participated in three marches against high living expenses and claimed voting fraud. At least three people have been killed, 400 people have been injured, and some companies have been looted during all of these events.
In response to Ruto’s suggestion that they form a bipartisan parliamentary committee to address concerns about the electoral process, Odinga declared on Sunday night that he was cancelling the fourth gathering. The opposition leader, who has contested Ruto’s victory in 2022 mentioned that he considered the president’s remark to be a positive development and an offer of peace.
Odinga said at a press conference that they have ended our protests. However, we wanted to emphasize that the freedoms to gather, protest, petition, and speak are unassailable under the terms of our constitution, he further added that in the event that this procedure is unsuccessful, his party reserve the right to call for demonstrations.
Stronger guarantees that the president cannot cram the body with supporters are among the reforms that the opposition has been pressing for in the electoral commission. We concur that a fair parliamentary procedure, co-chaired by both parties and supported by outside experts, should move forward, Odinga said.He further stated that the protests would restart in a week if Ruto showed no meaningful engagement or response. Odinga added that the opposition would speak with the administration about the high expense of living, which had inspired numerous protests.
Religious organizations had pleaded with the government and opposition to attempt communication in order to keep the nation from devolving into the kind of post-election violence that claimed more than 1,200 lives in 2007. Ruto had urged Odinga to use parliament rather than the streets in a speech to the country earlier that day.He urged Kenyans to maintain calm and abide by the law.
The United States and the United Kingdom, among other foreign delegations, have called for moderation in response to the turmoil in Kenya. The African Union has called for a peaceful and harmonious resolution to the unrest that resulted in protestors being attacked by riot police with tear gas and water cannons, as well as the arson of houses of worship, buildings, shops, and automobiles.
Moreover, according to the Kenya Media Sector Working Group, there have been more than 20 attacks and violations against journalists since the protests began.
