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Odinga Calls Off Street Confrontations


FILE: Riot police block the road near burning tires during a mass rally called by the opposition leader Raila Odinga over the high cost of living, Nairobi, Monday, March 27, 2023
FILE: Riot police block the road near burning tires during a mass rally called by the opposition leader Raila Odinga over the high cost of living, Nairobi, Monday, March 27, 2023

NAIROBI - Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga said on Sunday he was suspending anti-government protests and was ready for talks after an appeal from President William Ruto, though he warned that demonstrations could restart in days.

"We stand down our demonstrations for Monday - that is tomorrow, April 3, 2023," Odinga told a press conference.

On April 2, President Ruto asked Odinga to call off the protests that he said had resulted in three deaths and injured more than 400 people, including at least 60 security officers.

Ruto defended his administration's record, and said there could be bipartisan reform to the election commission - one of the opposition's central demands.

Odinga said he saw Ruto's statement as an olive branch and a "positive development."

However, if there was "no meaningful engagement or response" from Ruto, the protests would begin again in one week, Odinga said.

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.

The opposition has been pushing for reforms to the electoral commission, including stronger assurances that the president can't pack the body with supporters.

"We agree that a balanced parliamentary process co-chaired by both sides and backed by experts from outside should proceed," Odinga said.

If there was "no meaningful engagement or response" from Ruto, the protests would begin again in one week, Odinga said.

Odinga also said that the opposition would engage the government on the high cost of living, which had galvanized many protesters.

"At times like this, we should go back to subsidies ... so that the cost of living can come down," Odinga said.

Ruto's government has scrapped subsidies on fuel, maize, and electricity.

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