Raila Claims How Ruto Blocked Suluhu From Brokering Truce

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, on Tuesday, July 25 opened up on Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan's little-known visit to Kenya in her efforts to mediate between him and President William Ruto.

Speaking to the media, Raila claimed that Ruto was the one who invited Suluhu to Kenya to convince the conflicting parties into entering into a truce.

However, she was kept waiting for longer than she anticipated by the current administration, forcing her to return to Tanzania.

Raila Odinga addressing the media on July 25, 2023. /COURTESY

"Many eminent persons both local and international have tried to mediate between Azimio and Ruto’s side but they have been kept at bay by Kenya Kwanza. Two weeks ago, Mama Samia Suluhu came to Nairobi to try and mediate but she was kept waiting for 2 days and went back," Raila told journalists.

He however claimed that the opposition was welcome to meet Suluhu as well as other peace envoys.

Suluhu was last week spotted at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where she allegedly met a number of high-ranking politicians from the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader also claimed that Ruto was misleading his Tanzanian counterpart, a move which risks endangering diplomatic relations between the two nations.

“It is Kenya Kwanza that is frustrating any efforts to bring sanity to the country. We are not interested in being a part of the problems in government, we don’t want to eat their bread, all we want is for Kenyans get to put food on the table," Raila stated. 

International Press Association of East Africa (IPAEA) challenged Raila to restate his push to have the government lower the cost of living and address electoral issues which he claimed had led to major issues affecting the credibility of the August 2022 general elections.

IPAEA asked Raila to specify why he rejected dialogue as a means of resolution yet it is an approach that has worked in his favour against previous regimes.

Raila responded by claiming that President Ruto erected a negotiation roadblock that left them with no choice but to return to the streets, especially after the bipartisan talks collapsed.

“We have always been open to dialogue, but we don’t want nusu mkate (a coalition government). Our focus is the fact that our people are suffering due high cost of living. That cannot be ignored," Raila claimed. 

Questioned on the Azimio la Umoja protests worsening the economic situation in the country, Raila assured that the protests in the long run would force the government to take action.

“Economy is hurting, not because of demonstrations but because of the bad policies by Kenya Kwanza… they don’t care about the common people. Azimio would have handled situations in the country differently to the satisfaction of Kenyans," Raila acknowledged. 

Azimio has since suspended the fresh round of protests that were set for Wednesday, July 26, announcing on Monday, July 24 that they will be holding a vigil by lighting candles and laying flowers for the victims of police brutality during previous demos.

A number of local and international bodies have appealed to Raila and Ruto to embrace dialogue to end the political standoff that has been manifesting into protests, most of which have claimed lives and led to the destruction of property.