President William Ruto has openly agreed to a meeting with the Opposition leader, Raila Odinga, saying he is ready to meet with him anytime after he arrives back from Tanzania today evening.
“My friend Raila Odinga, I am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent… I am back tomorrow evening, and as you have always known, I am available to meet one-on-one with you anytime at your convenience,” Ruto tweeted on Tuesday, July 25.
The tweet from Ruto came after Raila’s address, where he accused Ruto of his unwillingness to meet.
He claimed the president ignored Tanzanian President Suluhu, who arrived in the country to mediate the conflict. Odinga said that Suluhu was left hanging for the two days she was in the country.
While addressing the international media, Raila sought to explain why the Azimio coalition called off demonstrations planned for Wednesday. He told Kenyans to do parades in honour of more than 50 people who were killed by the police during protests.
The government is yet to provide an official toll for the victims of the protests. More than 300 people were arrested by the police and charged with various offences related to the protests.
Raila during his speech, hinted against uncalled police brutality during the protests that he called for. the protests were to speak against the high costs of living and proposed taxes in the Finance Act 2023.
According to the Azimio coalition, close to 50 people were killed during the protests while official figures however have placed the figure closer to 20.
“We are witnessing unprecedented police brutality. Police and hired gangs have shot and killed or wounded scores of people at close range, ” Odinga told a press conference, adding that the violence was directly targeting his Luo tribe.
Ruto in a statement last week, defended the police department and their actions. He commended them for maintaining peace during the protests and for a job well done.
“We do not want a country of violence or destruction of property,” he said.
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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the independent watchdog created by parliament, commented on the police conduct.
“It is disheartening to witness the escalating tensions and the blatant disregard for human rights principles by both rogue demonstrators and the police,” the commission said.
Azimio had called for another round of protests on Wednesday but called it off and said they were changing tactics.
The coalition asked the citizens to instead go out on Wednesday, light candles and lay flowers (preferably white) in remembrance and respect for those who lost their lives.
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