Bipartisan dialogue truce headed for fatal collapse as Azimio, government disagree on structure

The relative uneasy calm Kenyans have been experiencing for a fortnight now from violent countrywide anti-government protests could be short-lived after both opposition and government openly disagreed on the structure of the bipartisan dialogue truce.

Today, while addressing a gathering dubbed public baraza at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, Azimio One Kenya Coalition indicated the talks would not materialize if the scope and structure will not accommodate extra-parliamentary engagements.

On the other hand, the Kenya Kwanza administration led by president William Ruto during an interdenominational prayer rally at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos county stuck to his guns saying the talks will be limited to parliamentary process.

Effectively, the rival camps are pulling in different directions and the mass protests are expected to begin as early as next week after the end of the Ramadhan period and the just ended Easter celebrations.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has dismissed claims by the government that he is planning anarchy through anti-government protests.

Speaking when he joined the Christian faithful for Sunday Service at St Stephen’s ACK Church along Jogoo Road, Raila said he wants a peaceful solution to their grievances.

“We are ready to dialogue with the other side but we are asking that they do not come to the negotiation table with contempt. We are not mad people who want to see bloodshed in our country. We have children, we have our women and we have our men.” Raila said before he led a rally at Kamukunji grounds.

And in Machakos, the president challenged the opposition to end the conversation on elections and instead champion the interests of the people.

“We cannot continue talking about leaders, it’s time to talk and plan for development that will transform the lives of the people…We must stand shoulder to shoulder so that we can plan and effect plans and programs that are going to transform our nation and change the lives of Kenyans.” President Ruto observed.

The Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the government is committed to lifting Kenyans out of poverty through transformative programs.
He urged Ukambani leaders to work with the government to address challenges facing residents.
“You have no business in the streets running around with cooking pots in your heads.” Gachagua said.

However, in Kamukunji, Raila said he will mobilise what he described as peaceful protests to run parallel with the bi-partisan talks with the government side, and criticized police for using excessive force on his supporters during similar protests held in March.

“There are some people who are saying that I am calling for nationwide protests to cause anarchy. I want to be clear that the protests that we are organizing are not for destruction, we are telling the Government that we don’t agree with the ways they are running affairs which have left civil servants without pay for weeks.” Raila added.

Last month, similar protests in left people dead including a police officer and tens of others badly injured while properties were also looted and destroyed.

Property of unknown value was also destroyed in the two cities.

Railasaid the announcement by President William Ruto last week that Unga will start retailing at Sh150 from this week, is still higher at a time Kenyans are facing harsh economic times.

“We are saying that the cost of living remains high and that is why we are saying that the price of Unga must go down to Sh100 and not Sh150,” he told roadside crowds today as he headed to Kamukunji for a public rally.

He was accompanied by other top Azimio leaders including Martha Karua who was his running mate in last year’s election as well as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka among others.

If the government fails to bring the cost of Unga down to Sh100, the leaders said they will mobilise Kenyans for street protests.

President Ruto said the cost of Unga will reduce following the arrival of maize shipment.

“I know we have a problem with the cost of living. We had agreed that we would sort out the issue of the price of unga. By the end of next week, the prices of unga will go down owing to the arrival of the imported unga,” the president said.

Azimio has indicated that lowering the prices of unga is top on their agenda in the bipartisan talks that are set to kick off this week.

Last week, the High Court last week suspended the move by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi to import maize from Zambia following a suit filed by the Farmers Party of Kenya.