Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday announced that he has suspended the protests planned on Monday to allow for dialogue after an appeal from President William Ruto, reported The Africa News.
The opposition supporters have been rallying twice a week to protest against the high cost of living, formation of a new electoral commission, and questioning last year’s election results. All three anti-government protests have been marred by violence and a fourth was scheduled for Monday.
Odinga’s announcement to suspend Monday’s protest followed an appeal by Kenyan President Ruto. Ruto said that the last three protests killed three people and injured over 400 people, including at least 60 security officers.
The Kenyan president also agreed to one of the opposition’s demands and proposed a bi-partisan engagement in parliament on the reconstitution of the country’s electoral commission.
He also appealed to Mr. Odinga to respect the country’s constitution and the Supreme Court, which validated his election victory last year. The opposition leader disputed Ruto’s 2022 victory, but the country’s Supreme Court upheld it. His statement, however, did not mention anything about the increasing cost of living. He urged Kenyans to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
During a press conference, Mr. Odinga said he considers Ruto’s statement as an olive branch and a positive development.
“We stand down our demonstrations for Monday – that is tomorrow, April 3, 2023,” the Kenyan opposition leader said.
The opposition has been pushing for reforms to the electoral commission, including stronger assurances that the president can’t pack the electoral body with supporters.
“We agree that a balanced parliamentary process co-chaired by both sides and backed by experts from outside should proceed,” Odinga said.
He, however, warned that the protests would begin again in one week if there was no meaningful engagement or response from the Kenyan president on the matter.
