Glow of dialogue flame dim as president Ruto, Raila troops differ over rules of engagement

The country could be enjoying short-lived uneasy calm from anarchic environment predisposed by the chaotic anti-government mass protests after president William Ruto and opposition’s troops differed sharply on rules of engagement to kick start dialogue process informed by political ceasefire between Ruto and Raila Odinga on Sunday.

Today, both the government allied politicians and their Azimio One Kenya Coalition appeared to be reading from different scripts putting the would-be talks in disarray before they begin.

Speaking separately today, the two camps accused each other of dishonesty with Azimio leader announcing that the opposition does not support calls for talks with president led Kenya Kwanza administration through a purely parliamentary process.

On the other hand, Ruto’s party United Democratic Alliance has slammed the opposition saying the fresh demands over planned dialogue to resolve the political impasse between the two sides are concealed to achieved a handshake which they said is not possible.

“It is the resolution of this (Azimio One Kenya Coalition) meeting that a purely parliamentary process may not serve the intended ends. Our suggestion is to have a conversation at the national level through a process akin to the 2008 National Accord.” Raila said.

He was flanked by other members of the coalition including Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka.

They said issues raised by the opposition also require the involvement of leaders outside parliament.

On the other hand, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala accused Raila of a scheme to jeopardise the talks.

“In making unreasonable demands, Raila Odinga has demonstrated his intention to hold the Bipartisan Parliamentary Process as suggested by the President at ransom.” Malala said.

Speaking in Kigali where he visited for a two days’ official tour, president Ruto also ruled out possibility of handshake but acknowledged that there are issues that will be handled through a bipartisan approach through parliament.

“As I said on Sunday, in times like this, you have to put your house in order. As president, I owe it to the people of Kenya to provide leadership and on Sunday I did ask the opposition to reconsider calling off the demonstrations they had undertaken because -protests and demonstrations are provided for in the Constitution but they were acquiring an ugly violent turn that was destroying property, putting a lot of lives into risk and a lot of unnecessary chaos.” Ruto said.

He added that: “If I say there will be no handshake, I know there is a context. Unfortunately for us in Kenya, handshake has a different connotation, and that is the one I am talking about… The handshake that brings the opposition and government into some conundrum, a mongrel and an outfit that is undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal.”

On their part, Azimio coalition proposed that a team be drawn from its ranks both in parliament and outside parliament to the committee to be established.

“We call upon Raila Odinga to recognize that there is a legitimate government in Kenya delivering the promises made to the electorate and implementing its pre-election agenda. He should not mistake the President’s olive branch in this holy month as a sign of cowardice.” Malala added.

The former Prime Minister dismissed as untrue allegations that the opposition was looking for a way to have a share in the current government. He insists that he is not interested in any position in Ruto’s administration.

Raila reiterated that the majority of the issues raised by his coalition, such as the high cost of living are urgent and require immediate attention from the government and cannot wait until a bipartisan committee is established for them to be looked into.

“We assure our people and Kenyans that our eyes are firmly on the ball, and reiterate that we shall go back to the people as the earliest sign of lack of seriousness by the other side.” Raila observed.

On Sunday, following president Ruto’s plea to the opposition to suspend the mass protests, Raila issued a precondition that they reserve the right to resume demonstrations should the dialogue fail to achieve any meaningful outcome.