Ruto-Raila handshake in the offing amid abortive truce attempts by president Suluhu
As the opposition Azimio One Kenya Coalition mulls staging more public protests amid stern government warning of consequences, speculation is rife that Raila and president Ruto could be headed for a handshake.
This comes even after several entities continue calling for an amicable resolution of the protracted political standoff to save the country from further turmoil.
In view of this, sources indicate that Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu made a clandestine visit to Kenya a couple of days ago allegedly to help broker a truce between the two leaders who don’t see eye to eye.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga is on record claiming that Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu came into the country two weeks ago to mediate over the stalled bi-partisan talks with the Kenya Kwanza faction, but did not make any headway because Ruto wasn’t available.
“She was kept waiting. We were available but the other faction was not available. Suluhu spent two nights here but it was all in vain.” Raila said told a media conference.
“I have said I am ready to sit with the people and discuss these issues. Ruto is actually pretending and he is living in delusion that we don’t have a crisis.”
Raila further claimed there have been more people who have tried to mediate the talks but Ruto has refused.
Further, unconfirmed reports indicate that the head of state has in recent past held at least three meetings with the opposition leader in what is seen as a quiet diplomatic approach to brokering a deal.
Yesterday, president William Ruto expressed goodwill in holding talks with Odinga through a message on social media.
“My friend RailaOdinga, am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent. Am back tomorrow evening, and as you have always known, am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience.” Ruto tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Azimio brigade is conducting sympathy visits to victims of violence arising from past protests admitted in different hospitals.
Other reports indicate that Raila Odinga has said the Azimio la Umoja coalition is gathering evidence of police brutality to be submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, claiming the country is experiencing early stages of genocide and political persecution as a result of state-sanctioned police brutality.
The Azimio leader claimed that the ongoing protests have evolved beyond their initial causes of punitive taxation and high cost of living, accusing the police of displaying bias and pursuing an ethnic agenda in certain regions of the country under the pretext of quelling the protests.
“We are currently assembling more evidence which we will shortly present to the International Criminal Court with an appeal to the court to open a file on state-sanctioned police atrocities in Kenya.” He said.
