The head of the opposition in Kenya, Raila Odinga, called President William Ruto’s offer to hold discussions over anti-government demonstrations “not serious at all” and rejected it.
Following weeks of demonstrations against the growing cost of living and the implementation of new levies, Ruto stated on social media on Tuesday that he was ready to see Odinga “anytime.”
Nevertheless, the leader of the opposition Azimio alliance claimed to Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the president’s offer to hold discussions was merely a “public relations exercise”.
“If he wanted to meet with me he would not have invited me through social media,” Odinga said, speaking from Nairobi. “He knows my address, he knows my telephone number. He is basically just playing games.”
“We have a crisis in this country that requires a serious approach,” Odinga said. “We are ready anytime, when they are ready for those talks”.
Critics accuse Ruto of increasing taxes at a time when the economy of the nation is collapsing due to spiraling inflation and of going back on his election campaign pledges from 2022, when he ran as the candidate for the underprivileged Kenyans and promised to improve their economic circumstances.
Since the opposition leader asked Kenyans to demonstrate in the streets in March, his coalition has organized nine days of anti-government demonstrations, with the gatherings occasionally degenerating into looting and violent altercations with the police.
Human rights organizations report that at least 30 individuals have died. Odinga, who claims that the presidential election from the previous year was “stolen” from him, has charged the government with “unprecedented police brutality.”
Human rights activists have denounced the police for using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse demonstrators throwing rocks.
Amnesty International and more than two dozen other rights organizations said last week that they had proof of 27 “extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary executions” in July alone.
Accusations of “extrajudicial executions and/or excessive use of force… are malicious, false, and intended to distort public opinion,” the interior ministry stated on Tuesday.
Odinga canceled his protests in April and May when Ruto agreed to talk, but after the negotiations stalled, this month saw a number of protests.
On Wednesday, Odinga also urged Kenyans to attend vigils in memory of anti-government demonstrators who had died in the protests.
His coalition urged “Kenyans to come out and light candles and lay flowers, preferably white, in remembrance of and respect for the victims.”