Russia Slams 13 Foreign Powers Urging Raila, Ruto To Embrace Dialogue
The 13 European Ambassadors had earlier delivered a message via a joint statement to Raila and President Ruto saying they should embrace dialogue to avert demonstrations that could lead to loss of lives.
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Russia on Tuesday, July 18 poured cold water on a statement by Ambassadors and High Commissioners offering to provide support in mediation talks between President William Ruto and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the planned nationwide demonstrations.
The 13 European Ambassadors had earlier delivered a message via a joint statement to Raila and President Ruto saying they should embrace dialogue to avert demonstrations that could lead to loss of lives.
They acknowledged the challenges Kenyans face every day and called upon both the Raila and Ruto factions to give dialogue another chance in order to address issues facing the country in peace.
Side-by-side image of President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. /FILE
"We are saddened by the loss of life and concerned by high levels of violence, including the use of live rounds and the destruction of property, during the recent demonstrations," their statement read in part.
"We recognise the daily hardships faced by many Kenyans and urge all parties to table concerns through a meaningful dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully to build the nation together, ensuring no further loss of life,” the statement read in part.
However, Russia, through its Embassy in Nairobi, accused the foreign powers of meddling with the internal affairs of the country, despite the chaotic protests that have led to the loss of lives and destruction of property.
“If it is not interference in internal affairs, what is it?” the embassy replied in a sentenced statement.
The 13 high commissioners and ambassadors are Luke Williams (High Commissioner, Australia), Christopher Thornley (High Commissioner, Canada), Ole Thonke (Ambassador, Denmark), Valentin Zellweger (Ambassador, Switzerland), Andrii Pravednyk (Ambassador, Ukraine), Josephine Gauld (Charge d'Affaires, United Kingdom) and Meg Whitman (Ambassador, United States)
Others who were a party to the statement are Pirkka Tapiola (Ambassador, Finland), Sebastian Groth, (Ambassador, Germany) and Fionnuala Quinlan (Ambassador, Ireland), Maarten Brouwer (Ambassador, Netherlands), Geir Arne Schei (Charge d'Affaires, Norway) and Caroline Vicini (Ambassador Sweden).
Azimio coalition meanwhile vowed to push on with the planned nationwide protests between Wednesday, July 19 and Friday, July 21.
Speaking during a presser at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation on the eve of the protests, Azimio principal Martha Karua revealed that the coalition will have three converging points in Nairobi that include Jacaranda Grounds, Joseph Kang'ethe Grounds and Kamukunji Grounds.
She further called upon Azimio supporters to come out in large numbers carrying sufurias as a way of demonstrating against the high cost of living, especially the high cost of unga.
Furthermore, motorists using Nairobi roads were advised to stop wherever they may be driving along highways and roads and hoot regularly as a show of solidarity with the planned mass demonstrations.
Karua, who was flanked by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee SG Jeremiah Kioni, assured supporters that they would not cower away from the protests despite losing their security detail.
"The government has entered into a public-private partnership with the militia to cripple freedom of assembly and protests. The party further notes that the security withdrawal comes days after President Ruto promised to ‘safirisha’ Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.
"Indeed, we remain eternally grateful to Mr Ruto for uttering those words out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth spoke. It also comes days after Ruto openly instructed Kenya Kwanza to recruit and arm supporters for a confrontation with demonstrators," she added.
Kalonzo on his part opened up on the inner workings of the purported police gang dubbed Operation Support Unit (OSU), claiming to possess intelligence of the group consisting of five officers being armed with lethal weapons and better facilitation in logistics, communications and transportation.
He further accused the unit of being behind the killings in Mlolongo, Kamukunji and Jogoo Road.
"Each of the five occupants in the Subaru vehicles are from one ethnic community and their mission is to assassinate Azimio leaders and Kenyans protesting against the government. It is a squad that will kill people tomorrow and in other protests to come," he sensationally claimed.
Viral Tea was unable to independently verify the claims from the Azimio principals.
