Hold talks, AU Commission tells Ruto, Raila

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat during a previous press briefing. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

The African Union Commission has asked President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga to engage in dialogue to address their differences.

The AU Commission says Kenya's political stability is paramount.

In a statement dated Tuesday, March 28, the AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki said the Monday, March 27 Kenyan protests were a concern to the agency and other African countries.

"The chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation," the AU Commission said.

The commission further reiterated that the August 9, 2022 General Election in Kenya followed lawful procedure, and that President Ruto's administration was legitimately set up.

"The chairperson wishes to recall the successful conduct of [the] General Election in August 2022 in Kenya and the subsequent unanimous confirmation of the election outcome by the Supreme Court," said the AU Commission.

Faki, through the statement, further said the commission "supports the government and the People of Kenya's efforts towards national unity, peace and stability".

The AU Commission's remarks come a day after at least one person was shot dead and several others left with gunshot wounds following protests held by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leadership in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

The Raila Odinga-led outfit says the protests have been occasioned by President Ruto's inability to meet campaign promises, including lowering the cost of living.

Odinga further wants the Azimio team be granted access to IEBC electoral voting system servers, alleging that he was rigged out in the presidential election.