Opposition leader Raila Odinga has sought to clear the air over his rumoured engagements with President William Ruto in the face of the anti-government revolt engineered by the Kenyan youth.
The former prime minister had been reported to have crossed into Ruto's fold and was apparently getting involved in a dialogue that would see the opposition get slots in the Cabinet.
But setting the record straight, Raila implied no talks were underway and that if they would, there would be preconditions to it.
The ODM leader categorically stated that his side would not engage with the government unless some of the critical questions were addressed, despite the importance of the dialogue.
"I agree that justice must come first before any talks. Towards this end, I stand with the young, resilient generation of Kenya," he said.
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Raila demanded that preceding the national convention, the government must compensate every victim of police brutality, dismiss all protest-related cases and release all abductees and those in jail
Further, the veteran politician asked the state to resolve the outstanding healthcare (healthcare workers' welfare) and education (JSS Teachers) grievances, revert the public healthcare insurance back to NHIF and discard SHIF, and prosecute all security sector perpetrators who allegedly facilitated atrocities on peaceful Kenyans during the recent protests.
The talks would then be undertaken upon the government's heeding of the demands.
But during the dialogue, in the event it happens, several issues must also be addressed, Raila held.
The ODM leader stated that the talks will be centred on four aspects of the country's wellness; good governance, skyrocketing cost of living, eradication of tribalism, the fight against corruption, and the national debt and fiscal management.
On the modalities of the dialogue, Raila proposed that they be conducted transparently in a neutral venue, with representatives from various sectors including youth, government, religious leaders, health care professionals, lawyers, and teachers.
He called on the young Kenyan populace to embrace calls for dialogue as it would be the viable means to address all the issues that sent them to the streets in protest.
"To the young people of Kenya, you all must know that I am deeply moved by your dedication to the cause, and I believe a structured dialogue will bring the reforms you are fighting for and safeguard Kenya for your future," he said.
Raila's new stance came after his co-principals in Azimio resolved not to join Ruto’s proposed government of national unity.
Led by Wiper party's Kalonzo Musyoka, the leaders said joining the Kenya Kwanza government would be a betrayal of the ideology and values of the Azimio coalition and its constituent parties.
“We shall not join for the straightforward reason that such actions are a betrayal of the ideology, values, and tenets of both our coalition party and our constituent parties,” said Kalonzo.
Kalonzo pointed out that the Cabinet should only be reconstituted after the proposed national convention to address issues affecting Kenyans is held.
