NAIROBI (KAAB TV) – The Kenyan opposition coalition, Azimio la Umoja, has declared that street protests will persist, even as they express their willingness to engage in fresh talks with the government.
This announcement comes in response to a joint statement issued by the ruling coalition party, Kenya Kwanza, which suggested that both parties had reached an agreement to halt the protests.
“Until we agree that each party has the freedom and right to bring its issues to the table and as we continue to pursue discussion, we shall continue with our engagements with the people,” stated a spokesperson for the Azimio opposition coalition.
The statement was made shortly after Kenyan President William Ruto revealed that he had recently spoken with opposition leader Raila Odinga and other opposition leaders, and they had apparently reached a consensus to put an end to anti-government protests.
“We can compete in anything but cannot have a leader either past, present, or future that will plan chaos and bloodshed. That will not happen in Kenya,” President Ruto asserted, adding that going forward, there would be no violence, and discussions could proceed as Kenya is a free country and a democracy.
The nationwide protests in the country have been marred by police violence, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties according to reports from civil society groups.
The opposition-led protests were initially triggered by the Azimio la Umoja leaders who opposed the rising living costs attributed to tax hikes in Kenya.