President Ruto sets two conditions for national dialogue to start

President William Ruto.[WSR Twitter]

President William Ruto has set another condition for opposition members, before the start of the national dialogue between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja.

He made the sentiments in Nyeri County, during a five-day tour of the Mount Kenya Region, after repeatedly saying there will be no handshake or power sharing.

Speaking on Monday, President Ruto suggested that aside from opposing the handshake, Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga should also declare that he will stop violence before they continue with the stipulated talks.

"I heard that they agreed yesterday that they don't even want a handshake and we have also supported that. Now I want to ask you the second issue of concern that we also agree that violence, fights, and property destruction should be stopped in our country Kenya," Ruto said in Mukurwe-ini.

President Ruto implied that the planned talks will be more successful if the opposition would declare their stand on violence.

"If we agree on those two that there is no handshake and there is no violence then we can proceed as a country, and we can discuss the rest of the things," he added.

He added that the talks are free for any other discussions apart from the power-sharing and violence issues.

The head of state further reiterated that the country is peaceful, democratic, and follows a constitution urging the opposition to keep on their duty of oversight of the government.

His sentiments were also shared by the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who shunned the handshake possibilities urging the opposition to stop the violence.

"Before you start this talk you make it a condition that Raila Odinga and his team must denounce violence as a way of sorting political issues in this country," Gachagua said.

The president made the same remarks on different stopovers, in Othaya he urged the residents to shun issues of handshake or violence and embrace development.

The opposition chief on Saturday had hinted at a possible return of the anti-government protests by September if the talks fail.

"We are talking without conditions and so they should not give us conditions either. We are ready for talks but if there is no agreement after 30 days, our people will take a different turn," Odinga said in Gem, Siaya.

The talks between the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio team are set to begin this week as the first invite by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was turned down by the National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa citing commitments on the day.

"I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd August 2023, contents of which we duly note. However, we seek the indulgence of your team on the invitation to a meeting on Monday 7th August 2023," stated Ichung'wah.

The talks are now set to be commenced on Thursday, August 10 as communicated by the Kenya kwanza team.

"While appreciating the urgency to embark on the talks, it is worth noting that having just constituted our team, we had a scheduled debrief on Monday with our team in order to prepare for the talks and a further engagement with the Bi-Partisan team and their assisting counsels on Tuesday 8th August 2023. We, therefore, seek your kind indulgence and propose that we schedule a joint first meeting on Thursday 10th August 2023 at 10 am," Ichungwa added.