Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga Sunday, April 2, temporarily called off the weekly anti-government protests.
This was after President William Ruto lodged an appeal to the opposition leader to call off the protests and engage in a bi-partisan dialogue.
However, more than ten days since he called off his weekly protests, ODM leader Raila Odinga’s team is yet to commence the dialogue with its Kenya Kwanza counterpart.
As such, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential candidate in the 2022 elections on Thursday, April 13, announced the return of anti-government protests.
While addressing his supporters at Ufangamano House, Raila said the opposition will fully get back to the streets immediately after the holy month of Ramadhan.
He said even though the coalition supports yet-to-start talks, it will hold demos as dialogue continue.
“Do we agree that mass action and negotiations should go hand in hand?” Raila asked the Ufungamano crowd.
“Immediately after the Ramadhan, I will announce when the countrywide mass actions will return,” Raila assured, adding that the negotiations will go hand in hand with the protests.
It is understood that a section of allies of the former Prime Minister has been accusing their Kenya Kwanza counterpart of lack of seriousness in the yet-to-be-held talks.
For instance, ODM Party Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday, April 12, claimed that President William Ruto had deliberately ignored their concerns which they tabled way before the demonstrations.
“There is a 90 percent chance that will go back to the streets because we have been treated with contempt,” Sifuna affirmed.
Last month, thousands have joined three marches over the past two weeks against high living costs and alleged fraud in last year’s vote.
All have been marred by violence with several supporters feared dead as hundreds sustained serious gunshot wounds.
