Raila Calls Off Nationwide Protests, Gives One Week Deadline

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, has called off the ongoing mass protests.

Speaking during a press conference at his Capitol Hill office, Raila revealed that the planned protests for Monday, April 3, which he termed the mother of all demonstrations, would not take place.

"In view of the foregoing, we stand down from our demonstrations for Monday, April 3, 2023," he announced.

While responding to President William Ruto's call to engage the government on other important matters, Raila further called for the halting of all arrests and prosecutions in relation to the protests.

"William Ruto has issued what I regard as an important statement, we have met and listened to a lot of people, including religious leaders, and they have implored us to give dialogue a chance," he said.

"We acknowledge the olive branch on dialogue, this is a positive development. We agree to a balanced parliamentary proceed co-chaired by both sides, this committee must be done immediately, including all arrests and prosecution related to demos."

Odinga also accepted Ruto's call for dialogue over the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). 

"We agree that a balance parliamentary process co-chaired by both sides and backed by experts from outside should proceed. This community should be composed with immediate effect with strict deadlines for resolving the crises facing the country," he declared.

Raila went on to state that during the protests, the coalition raised the key issues facing the country including electoral injustice, the cost of living, the legitimacy of the IEBC, the opening of the server for a forensic audit, the savage attacks on the media and innocent civilians by the police.

He presented an opposing proposal to President Ruto expressing that his party, Azimio, does not accept the results of the presidential election in August 2022, more than six months later, and believes that the country is currently experiencing its worst crisis.

He issued Ruto with a one-week ultimatum to respond to his counteroffer, lest he resumes the demonstrations.

"We emphasize that rights to assemble are anchored in our constitution, we reserve our rights to call for demos if there is no meaningful outcome.

“Should there be no meaningful engagement or response from Ruto to our counteroffer, we are set to resume our demonstrations after one week. We are ready to embrace dialogue,” declared Raila.

The opposition chief went on to clarify that demonstrations, picketing, processions and petitions are enshrined in our constitution and therefore are not criminal.

He also dismissed reports of Azimio having organized criminals to vandalize businesses of innocent hardworking Kenyans, revealing that "This is the work of our distractors."

"There has also been excessive use of force by the police. Police officers are meant to keep law and order but if you find a situation where they are using live bullets against unarmed civilians, it is a reckless police force," he added.

His declaration came moments after President William Ruto urged the former Prime Minister to call off the demonstrations.