Kenya : Government, Opposition Talk Peace

After several months of verbal tussle, the Kenyan government and the opposition on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 began holding face-to-face talks. The aim of the meeting is to strategize on how to resolve the bitter political feud following a spate of deadly protests over electoral reforms, the high cost of living and an audit of last year’s election that brought President William Ruto to power. Since March 2023, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga has organized 10 days of demonstrations that have often ended with violent confrontations between his supporters and the police. At least 20 people have died in the clashes, according to official figures, although rights campaigners put the toll much higher.
Demonstrations on the streets of the country, have provoked calls for mediation to end the standoff. Wednesday’s talks are being conducted by a 10-member joint committee. But no timeframe has been set for their duration and the exact agenda is the subject of contention.
Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja coalition said it wants to discuss the rising cost of living as well as electoral reforms after Odinga lost his fifth bid for the presidency to Ruto, claiming he was cheated of victory. An earlier draft agenda did not include the economic crisis nor a raft of tax hikes introduced in July, angering Kenyans suffering from spiraling prices for basic goods such as fuel and food.
Kimani Ichung'wah, the ruling party's parliamentary majority leader, on Monday maintained Kenya Kwanza would not entertain talks on the economic crisis despite Azimio's demands.
“We will listen to them on anything but not the cost of living. The President is al...