Raila warns of demos if talks don't begin by Wednesday

Raila said there are clear signs from Kenya Kwanza of stonewalling the talks through excuses that have resulted in numerous postponements.

Piece by: JAMES MBAKA
Politics

• Raila had on Wednesday called off street protests that were planned for the day after saying they were giving dialogue a chance.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has threatened to return his supporters to the streets if Kenya Kwanza does not show "seriousness" in the bipartisan talks by Wednesday.

The opposition leader said they had given their opponents the benefit of doubt when they asked them to return to the negotiating table but said since then, there has been no iota of goodwill.

Raila said there are clear signs from Kenya Kwanza of stonewalling the talks through excuses that have resulted in numerous postponements.

"We have given them today and tomorrow....the talks must start in earnest by Wednesday....if they don't start we will treat that gentleman's agreement as cancelled," Raila said.

Raila had on Wednesday called off street protests that were planned for the day after saying they were giving dialogue a chance.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Raila said it was President William Ruto's camp that had approached them to call off the demonstrations last week to give room for talks.

However, he said, the request could have been mischievous to get a conducive environment to host foreign dignitaries who were visiting the country.

"We acted in good faith to call off the demonstrations after Kenya Kwanza had approached us and said they were ready for the talks," he said.

"We knew that the real reason was that visitors were coming and they didn't want demonstrations in town."

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