On Tuesday, the major opposition coalition in Kenya, led by Raila Odinga, made plans to engage the public “directly” as it prepares to deliberate on electoral changes with the government.
After its anti-government protests became violent last month, the Azimio la Umoja coalition, led by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, declared that it remained dedicated to reducing political tension through dialogue.
To “explain to the people where we are and the next course of action,” it said that it would have its first town hall meeting on Thursday, followed by a public protest on Sunday in Nairobi, the country’s capital.
In a statement, Azimio stated that it “remains committed to the spirit of the Easter deal that saw the two parties commit to dialogue.”
The negotiations, which Odinga maintains should go beyond parliament, will comprise representatives from both the ruling coalition and Azimio.
The government was asked by the opposition to “come to the table with clean hands, unclenched fists, and a commitment to an honest and transparent process that confronts all the challenges bedeviling our country.”
Unavoidable Fatalities
During anti-government protests last month, three people including a police officer—died and propertiea were vandalised, while hundreds of other people had injuries.
Twenty police officers were “seriously injured while repelling violent protesters,” pointing to “hooligans posing as protesters who invaded private property.
Also, a student at Maseno University in western Kenya was shot in the neck by the police when officers fired live rounds after running out of tear gas canisters and blank rounds, according to a police report seen by Reuters on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Kenya’s National Police Service was not immediately available for comment.
The report said the officers were confronting students who had set fires in the road and vandalised local businesses
It was also in and around Kisumu that two civilians were killed in the two previous demonstrations by alleged police fire. Investigations have been launched by the institution responsible for overseeing law enforcement.
When President William Ruto agreed to hold negotiations with the opposition leader, Mr. Odinga, who contended that the 2022 presidential election was rigged in his favour, the protests halted.
If Azimio is not pleased with the procedure, he has vowed to go back to the streets.